Abstract
A new type of nano-composite film was prepared from polyvinyl alcohol, Ni2+-montmorillonite (Ni2+-MMT), defoamer, a levelling agent and a plasticizer. Its thermal characteristics were studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The intermolecular interactions were measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (%E) were measured. The microstructures were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). FT-IR and XPS spectra indicated that cross-linking has taken place between PVA and Ni2+-MMT.
XRD and AFM indicate that the PVA molecules had inserted themselves into the silicate layers of MMT, exfoliating them and dispersing them randomly into the PVA matrix. Compared to pure PVA film, the TS of the films was increased and %E decreased when the Ni2+-Montmorillonite was added and the dissolution temperature of the film was also reduced.