Fabrication, characterization and thermal properties of PVC+Si based polymer nanocomposites

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

ABSTRACT PVC+Si nanocomposites were synthesized via solution mixing to ensure uniform nanoparticle dispersion and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy(SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis DTA, differential scanning calorimetry DSC, and Raman spectroscopy. XRD confirmed PVC’s predominantly amorphous nature (crystallinity ≤10%). Si nanoparticle incorporation broadened XRD peaks, indicating increased amorphous content and reduced crystallinity. Thermal analysis showed enhanced stability, with the temperature at 80% mass loss increasing by 57.07°C for PVC + 1.5%Si. DTA revealed that pure PVC exhibits the lowest thermal stability, with a distinct endothermic peak corresponding to ΔH = 116.1985 J/g, while nanocomposites displayed enhanced thermal behavior due to reduced polymer chain mobility and stronger filler-matrix interactions. Raman spectroscopy further validated the successful integration of Si nanoparticles into the PVC matrix, with a distinct peak at 520 cm− 1 corresponding to Si-Si vibrations. Additional peaks in the 500–600 cm− 1 range were attributed to overlapping Si and C-Cl bond vibrations. High-frequency Raman spectra showed a pronounced peak at 3100 cm− 1, associated with sp C-H bonds, hydroxyl groups (O-H), or amines (N-H), further confirming the structural modifications induced by Si incorporation.