ABSTRACT
Hydrophilic surface of α-Al2O3 nanoparticles was treated with thiamine as a green modifier for better compatibility with poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix. In this regard, poly(vinyl alcohol)/α-Al2O3-vitamin B1 nanocomposites with different ratios of modified α-Al2O3 (3, 5, and 7 wt%) were prepared through ultrasonic irradiation and their properties were compared with the pure poly(vinyl alcohol). Many techniques were used to study the properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/α-Al2O3-vitamin B1 nanocomposites. Morphology images of poly(vinyl alcohol)/α-Al2O3-vitamin B1 nanocomposites showed the good dispersion of the α-Al2O3 nanoparticles in poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix in nanometer-scale. The results demonstrated that poly(vinyl alcohol)/α-Al2O3-vitamin B1 nanocomposites give better thermal stability, strain, and E-modulus than the pure poly(vinyl alcohol.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
![](/cms/asset/dc002631-678a-456f-b0ad-ee8193135d18/lpte_a_1373394_uf0001_oc.jpg)
Acknowledgments
The authors appreciate the partial financial support provided by the Research Affairs Division Isfahan University of Technology (IUT), Isfahan, Iran and Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council, Tehran, Iran gratefully appreciated. Also, express their gratitude to the support from Center of Excellence in Sensors and Green Chemistry (IUT, Isfahan, Iran).