Polymer Nanocomposite of PVDF/Organoclay-Copper Nanoparticles hybrid: Synthesis and Characterization

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanocomposite materials filled with a hybrid of organoclay and/or copper nanoparticles were successfully prepared. The synthesis of copper nanoparticles was achieved without the use of a conventional chemical stabilizer, only the organoclay surface serving as a stabilizing agent for the nanoparticles. The results showed the size of the nanoparticles decrease as the organoclay amount increases and less aggregation of the nanoparticles is observed when the particles are on the organoclay surface. Physical and chemical properties were probed using a host of analytical techniques. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) showed successful formation of copper nanoparticles as shown by peaks at 2θ = 460 of the <111> orientation. The prepared hybrids were then used to produce the PVDF nanocomposites membrane sheets. The morphologies of the fabricated nanocomposites sheets were compared using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Atomic force microscope (AFM) showed the change in surface properties and roughness as the hybrid materials were added.. Addition of the hybrid into the PVDF polymer didn’t affect the chemical structure of the polymer as confirmed by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) even when the organoclay content was increased.