Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) based nanocomposites (NCs) filled by various weight percent of modified ZrO nanoparticles (NPs) with vitamin B (VB) up to 7wt% were fabricated via ultrasonication method then was cast to thin films. The ultrasonication was applied for the preparation and modification process asan easy, safe and fast method. Ultrasonic was responsible for great homogeneities of NPs into PVA matrix, which could not be achieved by mechanical or magnetically stirring. The creation of polymer NCs and changes in the structural properties were examined by X-ray diffraction. FT-IR spectroscopy indicated the possible interactions of the ZrO-VB NPs with the PVA backbones and also, existence of absorption bands related to PVA and ZrO NPs in the NC structures. The distribution of nano-fillers and uniform morphology of the NCs showed that the ZrO-VB NPs were homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix in the nanosized scale. UV-Vis analysis shown that the the optical absorption were improved by evolution of ZrO-VB NPs content. The tensile strength of PVA film was increased significantly with increasing the ZrO-VB NPs content. Thermal gravimetric analysis confirmed that NCs displayed higher thermal stability than the pristine PVA. Also, water contact angle analysis indicated that the hydrophilicity of NC films was enhanced with increasing the concentration of ZrO NPs.
In the present investigation, solution casting method was used for the preparation of nanocomposite (NC) films. At first, the surface of ZrO2 nanoparticles (NPs) was modified with vitamin B1 (VB1) as a bioactive coupling agent to achieve a better dispersion and compatibility of NPs within the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix. The grafting of modifier on the surface of ZrO2 was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Finally, the resulting modified ZrO2 (ZrO2–VB1), was used as a nano-filler and incorporated into the PVC matrix to improve its mechanical and thermal properties. These processes were carried out under ultrasonic irradiation conditions, which is an economical and eco-friendly method. The effect of ZrO2–VB1 on the properties and morphology of the PVC matrix was characterized by various techniques. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses showed a good dispersion of fillers into the PVC matrix with the average diameter of 37–40 nm. UV–Vis spectroscopy was used to study optical behavior of the obtained NC films. TGA analysis has confirmed the presence of about 7 wt% VB1 on the surface of ZrO2. Also, the data indicated that the thermal and mechanical properties of the NC films were enhanced.
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