Effect of montmorillonite treatment on the thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride) nanocomposites

The aim of this research was to study the effect of different intercalants on the thermal degradation/dehydrochlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). PVC nanocomposites were prepared containing 2 phr of montmorillonite clay. The montmorillonite was treated with different organic intercalants and analysed by thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction. All intercalants were found to intercalate the clay. The nanocomposites were prepared on a two-roll mill and pressed into 0.7 mm thick plates. The degradation was analysed by yellowness index, Congo red test and UV-visible spectroscopy. All cationic intercalants were found to accelerate the dehydrochlorination of PVC whereas the non-ionic did not affect thermal degradation. On the other hand, some non-ionic intercalants showed poor dispersion.