Preparation and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)/halloysite nanotubes composite sponges with improved mechanical properties

Abstract

A novel polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) composite sponge with preferable properties was fabricated via water solution mixing and casting technique with a fixed PVA ratio and the various contents of nano‐fillers. The morphology and physical properties of all the samples have been studied and characterized extensively. The results showed that HNTs were uniformly aligned along in the PVA matrix depending on good interfacial interactions between HNTs and PVA matrix. The addition of HNTs decreased the pore sizes and porosity of the sponges. Mechanical tests indicated that the incorporation of HNTs contribute to the reinforcement in mechanical properties of composite sponges under both dry and moist conditions. In addition, the composites showed better performances in thermal stability and water absorption capacity than pure PVA sponges. Rhodamine B and ibuprofen were employed to evaluate the control release ability. The results illustrated that increasing HNT contents can enhance the sustained release ability of PVA sponges.

Interfacial stress transfer factor and tensile strength of polymer halloysite nanotubes systems

“…Accordingly, polymer HNT nanocomposites include the enhanced levels for mechanical, thermal, and fire-retardant properties. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] HNT commonly provides the strength of polymers without the loss of ductility unlike carbon nanotubes (CNT) and nanoclay. Additionally, HNT are biocompatible and their utilizations in bioreactors, drug delivery, and gene delivery were established.…”

Advanced Kolarik model for the modulus of a nanocomposite system reinforced by halloysite nanotubes and interphase zone

“…Many researchers have reported the improvement of thermo-mechanical and chemical properties of polymer HNT samples. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] HNT can raise the fracture stiffness of epoxy system minus reducing the modulus, strength and thermal constancy. [33] Moreover, HNT enhance the crystallization temperature, glass transition temperature and crystallinity of polyamide-11 (PA11) nanocomposites.…”

The least length of halloysite nanotubes allowing the operative stress shifting via imperfect interphase after percolation onset for the strength of nanocomposites applicable in the biomedical products

“…The previous studies reported that the incorporation of a small amount of HNT outstandingly increases the performance of polymers. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] However, the earlier works concentrated on the experimented studies of these materials, whereas the modeling approaches are inadequate and need more devotion to advance the usages of HNT-based samples in the advanced fields.…”