The effect of Zn, Al layered double hydroxide on thermal decomposition of poly(vinyl chloride)

Poly(vinyl chloride)/layered double hydroxide (LDH) composite was prepared by mixing 4 wt% Zn₂Al-CO₃-LDH with PVC and fluxing at 180 °C. The thermal decomposition behaviour of the LDH + PVC composite in air and nitrogen environments was systematically investigated. We found that mixing Zn₂Al-CO₃-LDH into PVC facilitates dehydrochlorination from ca. 300 to 270 °C but reduces the reaction extent to leave more chlorine on the polyene backbones both in air and N₂. We have also found that at 400-550 °C, both in air and N₂, LDH assists the formation of char-like materials and decreases the release of volatile hydrocarbons. From 550 to 800 °C, the char-like materials are mostly retained in N₂ while they are almost completely thermo-oxidized (burned) in air. Thus, addition of Zn₂Al-CO₃-LDH to PVC does not increase the thermal stability, but does promote charring to retard the generation of flame. The influence of LDH on PVC thermal properties has been also addressed mechanically.