The effect of UV-irradiation on poly(vinyl alcohol) composites with montmorillonite

Poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA, microcomposites with montmorillonite, MMT, were prepared by their mixing in aqueous colloidal solution. Thin films of composites obtained by solvent evaporation were exposed to 254-nm radiation. The course of photochemical reactions leading to various products was monitored by FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopy. The chain scission reaction was confirmed by measurement of average molecular weights and polydispersity using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) method. The crosslinking was minor process whereas oxidation and degradation appeared more efficient in exposed PVA/MMT. It was found that the presence of clay filler (MMT) has slight influence on PVA photooxidative degradation.