Effect of montmorillonite treatment on the thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride) nanocomposites

The aim of this research was to study the effect of different intercalants on the thermal degradation/dehydrochlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). PVC nanocomposites were prepared containing 2 phr of montmorillonite clay. The montmorillonite was treated with different organic intercalants and analysed by thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction. All intercalants were found to intercalate the clay. The nanocomposites were prepared on a two-roll mill and pressed into 0.7 mm thick plates. The degradation was analysed by yellowness index, Congo red test and UV–visible spectroscopy. All cationic intercalants were found to accelerate the dehydrochlorination of PVC whereas the non-ionic did not affect thermal degradation. On the other hand, some non-ionic intercalants showed poor dispersion.