PVC inorganic hybrids based on kaolinite/urea intercalates

Abstract

Polymer/clay hybrids materials receive much attention due to their interesting mechanical and thermal properties. Composites of poly(vinyl chloride) have been prepared by melt intercalation method using commercial type of pure kaolinite (SAK47), urea intercalated kaolinite (SAK47/urea), and intercalated/exfoliated kaolinite after washing of urea from kaolinite-urea (del. SAK47). In the next step the untreated and treated kaolinite was modified by Bis(2ethylhexyl)phthalate, DEHP, (SAK47/DEHP, SAK47/urea/DEHP and del. SAK47/DEHP). For the PVC/kaolinite composites the suspension type of PVC with K value 60 was used. Untreated and treated kaolinite samples as well as PVC composites were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microscopy (SEM). The interactions between kaolinite and modifier were discussed by FTIR-ATR. Tested mechanical properties were improved almost for all PVC mixtures. The highest values of tensile strength and E-modulus were observed for PVC+del. SAK47/DEHP.