Reinforcing and Toughening of Poly(vinyl chloride) with Double-C60-End-Capped Poly(n-butyl methacrylate)

Review of Recent Developments of Glass Transition in PVC Nanocomposites

This review addresses the impact of different nanoadditives on the glass transition temperature (Tg) of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is a widely used industrial polymer. The relatively high Tg limits its temperature-dependent applications. The objective of the review is to present the state-of-the-art knowledge on the influence of nanofillers of various origins and dimensions on the Tg of the PVC. The Tg variations induced by added nanofillers can be probed mostly by such experimental techniques as thermomechanical analysis (TMA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dielectric thermal analysis (DETA). The increase in Tg is commonly associated with the use of mineral and carbonaceous nanofillers. In this case, a rise in the concentration of nanoadditives leads to an increase in the Tg due to a restraint of the PVC macromolecular chain's mobility. The lowering of Tg may be attributed to the well-known plasticizing effect, which is a consequence of the incorporation of oligomeric silsesquioxanes to the polymeric matrix. It has been well established that the variation in the Tg value depends also on the chemical modification of nanofillers and their incorporation into the PVC matrix. This review may be an inspiration for further investigation of nanofillers' effect on the PVC glass transition temperature.

One-pot approach to prepare high-performance graphene-reinforced poly(vinyl chloride) using lithium alkyl as covalent bonding agent

PVC/graphene nanocomposites with high performance are fabricated by this one-pot method using n-BuLi as the initiator.

Novel thermally stable poly(vinyl chloride) composites for sulfate removal

BaCO(3) dispersed PVC composites were prepared through a polymer re-precipitation method. The composites were tested for sulfate removal using rapid small scale column test (RSSCT) and found to significantly reduce sulfate concentration. The method was extended to synthesize barium carbonate-loaded silica aero-gels-polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer composites. The PVC composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray mapping, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis. The method has advantages over conventional sulfate precipitation (sulfate removal process) using BaCO(3) wherein clogging of the filter can be avoided. The method is environmentally friendly and does not interfere with natural organic matter as the conventional resin does. Some of the composites were thermally more stable as compared with the pure PVC discussed in the literature.

Amphiphilic poly(p-phenylene)-driven multiscale assembly of fullerenes to nanowhiskers

Molecular level alignment of components and optimum morphology of hybrid materials are of great interest in many applications. Morphology control has been extensively used as a direct tool in the evaluation of interactions and assemblies of components in thin films. It is believed that preparation method and composition are powerful tools to direct the morphology, particularly in self-assembled systems such as fullerene-based hybrid materials. The present report outlines a synergistic self-assembly of fullerenes (C(60)) and functionalized poly (p-phenylene) (PPP) to develop nanofibers with high aspect ratios. Nanostructured PPP-C(60) hybrids were prepared by direct casting of the dilute solution on solid substrates and on water under ambient conditions. The formation of whiskers with high aspect ratio and investigation of interesting photophysical properties are discussed. An amphiphilic PPP was used as a template for preparing nanohybrids of C(60) at ambient temperature and conditions.