Enhanced mechanical and thermal properties of poly (vinyl alcohol)/corn starch blends by nanoclay intercalation.
Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/corn starch blend films with enhanced properties were fabricated by melt processing and montmorillonite (MMT) reinforcing. It was revealed that strong hydrogen bonding occurred between the abundant OH groups of the matrix and polar SiOSi and OH groups of MMT. The highly exfoliated MMT nanolayers were randomly dispersed in the matrix containing MMT lower than 10wt%, whereas the intercalated structure was predominant with MMT content higher than 10wt%. With the increase of MMT, the glass transition temperature as well as equilibrium torque increased. The water sorption decreased and water resistant properties were improved with the incorporation of MMT due to the restricted swelling of the matrix by MMT nanolayers. Significant improvement in strength and flexibility were observed due to the fine dispersion of the MMT layers and the strong interaction between MMT and the matrix. The thermal stability was also improved. The MMT nanolayers could act as the heat and mass transport barriers and retard the thermal decomposition of the composites.
School of Material and Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Key Laboratory of Recycling and Eco-treatment of Waste Biomass of Zhejiang Province, China.
Huafeng
H
Tian
School of Material and Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China.
Kai
K
Wang
School of Material and Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China.
Di
D
Liu
School of Material and Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China.
Jiaan
J
Yan
School of Material and Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China. Electronic address: xaming@th.btbu.edu.cn.
Aimin
A
Xiang
Centre for Composite Materials, International Research Centre, Kalasalingam University, Anand Nagar, Krishnankoil, 626 126, India.
A Varada
AV
Rajulu
D001546:Bentonite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength
D001546:Bentonite; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D013213:Starch
Mechanical properties; Melt processing; Montmorillonite; Nanocomposites; Poly (vinyl alcohol); Starch