Structure and physical properties of high amorphous polyvinyl alcohol/clay nanocomposites

Recently a high amorphous polyvinyl alcohol (HAVOH) which can be easily melt processed has been patented and commercialized with the trade name G-Polymer. In this work, we report on the characterization of clay-G-Polymer composites obtained by melt processing of HAVOH with two commercial chemically-modified organoclays, Cloisite 15A and Cloisite 30B. Results show that the extent of polymer intercalation in the layered clay structure as well as the thermal and mechanical properties of the obtained composites depend on the nature of clay organo-modifier, i.e a quaternary ammonium salt of dimethyl dehydrogenated tallow for Cloisite 15A and an alkyl ammonium salt of bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)methyl tallow for Cloisite 30B. In particular Cloisite 15A, which is only slightly intercalated by the polymer during melt compounding, contributes to enhance glass transition temperature and mechanical properties of the resulting composites. On the contrary, Cloisite 30B which is significantly intercalated by the interacting polymer macromolecules, disturbs to some extent the H-bonding network established within the polymeric matrix thus showing a reduction of thermal and mechanical properties.