Abstract
Column chromatographic technique was used for improvement in d-spacing of montomorillonite using quaternary ammonium salt as an intercalent with a cation exchange capacity of 110 meq/100 g. The modified clay was then referred as organically modified montomorillonite (OMMT). Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) nanocomposites were prepared through direct melt compounding on a conventional twin screw extruder with variation in mass percentage of loadings (3–12%). Due to improved d-spacing of OMMT the polymer chains get exfoliated in between the plates of clay and dispersed uniformly. The properties of the nanocomposites were found to be appreciable up to 12 mass% loading of OMMT. Rheological data like torque, fusion time, viscosity, and shear rate were also recorded on Brabender Plasticorder. The improvement in properties with increase in amount of OMMT loading was evidenced from reduction in shear viscosity and torque. Also nanoclay is acting as a lubricating agent with packing effect, which reduces the torque with decrease in viscosity. Moreover, a strong interaction between PVC molecules and nanolayers, which leads to greater nucleation with, improved d-spacing. Due to the soft nature of OMMT and improvement in d-spacing, the processing of PVC becomes easier. Also it is noteworthy that nanoclay may be attributed as a nucleating agent.
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