Nanostructural characterization of poly (vinylidene fluoride)-clay nanocomposites prepared by a one-step reactive extrusion process

Abstract

Poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-untreated clay nanocomposites were successfully prepared using an innovative one-step reactive melt extrusion process. Through specific temperature and shear conditions, the chemical reactions took place between the polymer matrix, the inorganic clay particles, and three main reactive agents: an organic peroxide, sulfur, and a specific activator led finally to the PVDF-clay nanocomposites. The materials were formulated with various amounts of clay in order to identify the best conditions, enabling to obtain the optimal particle exfoliation in the polymer matrix at the nanometric scale. The microstructure and nanostructure modifications were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and wide-and small-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS). The relationship between nanostructure and mechanical behavior was investigated by tensile experiments, impact tests, and microhardness measurements. The FTIR results suggest that there is a chemical interaction between the clay and the polymer. Furthermore, the WAXS study shows that no intercalation step takes place in any composition. In addition to this, the sample with 2.5 wt.% clay could present a total exfoliation of the clay particles. The PVDF matrix is found to be exclusively of the α-form in all compositions. The final microhardness slightly increases with both nanoclay content and degree of crystallinity.

Interfacial tuning and designer morphologies of microporous membranes based on polypropylene/natural rubber nanocomposites

“…31 A significant reduction in the intensity of the peak in the 2θ region 13 o to 22 is observed in PP/C-30B nanocomposites, suggesting the exfoliation of clay platelets in the PP matrix. There are no peak shifts observed in the clay added system, this indicates that the clay particles mainly exist in the exfoliated form 32 the characteristic peak of clay is observed at 6.2 . 33 The XRD spectrum of PP/Al 2 O 3 and PP/SiO 2 system shows almost similar behavior, this may be due to the similar particle size of nanofillers.…”

Dielectric properties of some polymers/ metal oxide nanoparticles nanocomposites using fast technique

“…[7][8][9] On the other hand, the PVDF is a polar polymer with excellent properties, usually used blended with other polymer in order to improve some properties 10 or with the clay as nanocomposites. 11 The main challenge in the preparation of nanocomposites is the nanoparticules dispersion. Generally, nanoparticules have the tendency to aggregate into the polymeric matrix.…”