Hydrophilicity and crystallization behavior of PVDF/PMMA/TiO2(SiO2) composites prepared by in situ polymerization

Abstract

Composites with enhanced hydrophilicity were prepared by adding TiO 2 or SiO 2 nanoparticles during the in situ polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). The hydrophilicities of the PVDF/PMMA/TiO 2 (SiO 2 ) composites generated in this manner were characterized by contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The hydrophilicity was dependent on nanoparticle content; it gradually increased with increasing TiO 2 (or SiO 2 ) content when the TiO 2 (or SiO 2 ) content was no more than 4 wt% of PVDF. A homogeneous dispersion of the TiO 2 (or SiO 2 ) nanoparticles in the composite matrix was observed in scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) analyses, the crystalline phase composition of PVDF was not influenced by the addition of TiO 2 (or SiO 2 ); PVDF crystallized predominantly in the α phase after in situ polymerization. Nevertheless, the nanoparticles can promote the formation of the β phase of PVDF in composites; the β-phase content increased with increasing TiO 2 content, while it was almost independent of SiO 2 content.

Preparation and Characterization of TiO2-PVDF/PMMA Blend Membranes Using an Alternative Non-Toxic Solvent for UF/MF and Photocatalytic Application

“…The TiO 2 concentration generally ranges between 0 and 5 wt% by according to various studies reported in literature [ 45 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 ]. In the present research, membranes containing different amounts of TiO2 (0.12, 0.25 and 0.5 wt%) were prepared.…”

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/cellulose nanocrystals composites: rheological, hydrophilicity, thermal and mechanical properties

“…3a. This indicated that the addition of CNCs did not change the crystal phase of PVDF (Zhao et al 2012). However, at higher wave number regions (Fig.…”

“…However, the hydrophobic nature of PVDF usually renders low permeability and poor antifouling ability, which restricts its expanded uses (Ma et al 2007). To overcome the hydrophobic nature, introducing some hydrophilic groups was utilized via surface modification (Rana and Matsuura 2010), in situ polymerization (Zhao et al 2010(Zhao et al , 2012, and bulk graft copolymerization (Liu et al 2003). Among these methods, blending is the most versatile and straightforward processing method.…”

TiO2‐Oligoaldaramide nanocomposites as efficient core‐shell systems for wood preservation

“…Several examples of TiO 2 ‐polymer composites have been described in the literature, such as TiO 2 ‐poly(styrene‐divinylbenzene)/maleic anhydride, TiO 2 ‐polypirrole, TiO 2 ‐PMMA, TiO 2 /poly (amide‐imide), TiO 2 /P(St‐ co ‐DVB)‐MAA, TiO 2 /polystyrene, TiO 2 (SiO 2 )/PVDF/PMMA, TiO 2 /(VAc‐BuA), TiO 2 /PET …”