Influence of chain length on intercalation process of polyvinylchloride/clay nanocomposites based on alkyl-amine

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the influence of chain length on the intercalation processes and on the properties of polymer/clay nanocomposites. Many polymer/clay nanocomposites have been studied so far. Less attention has been given to PVC/clay nanocomposites, although polyvinylchloride (PVC) is the best known and most widely used vinyl plastic. Natural montmorillonite, Na-MMT, was intercalated with octadecylamine (ODA), dodecylamine (DDA) and octylamine (OA) molecules by ion–dipole intercalation to determine the applicability of these intercalates for nanocomposite materials. The structure was determined by X-ray diffraction and molecular simulation. All polymer samples were prepared in a KO-Kneader in melt conditions. The prepared materials were tested for abrasion resistance, and mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties.