Abstract
Zinc sulfide (ZnS) was synthesized by sonochemical method and nanoparticles with crystallite size around 2 nm were obtained. PVC containing ZnS nanoparticles at concentrations of 0.10; 0.30; 0.50; 0.7 and 1.00 wt% were gamma irradiated (60Co) at room temperature in air. No appreciable decrease in PVC Viscosity-Average Molar Mass (Mv) was observed for samples containing 0.7 wt% of ZnS nanocrystals. It was demonstrated that the addition of ZnS nanocrystals imparted molecular protection to the polymer matrix while improving flexibility, by decreasing the Young Modulus of PVC films. These results suggest the use of sonochemically synthesized ZnS nanocrystals as a new additive for radiation-grade PVC materials.
Highlights
Polymer composites might present improved physical properties when compared to their polymer matrices counterparts
Our findings suggest that Zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanocrystals are suitable radiostabilizers for gamma-irradiated PVC, while enables lower matrix rigidity
A typical reaction procedure was done with 1.317g of C4H6O4Zn.H2O and 1.35g of thioacetamide dissolved in 100 ml of absolute ethanol in a 250 ml beaker
Summary
Polymer composites might present improved physical properties when compared to their polymer matrices counterparts. Zinc sulfide (ZnS), along with many other inorganic sulfides, exhibits a broad range of useful properties This sulfide presents good chemical stability and physical strength, being first used as a semiconductor[4,5]. Osuntokun and Ajibade[8] reported the synthesis and structural studies of ZnS and CdS nanoparticles in polyvinylpyrrolidone, PVA, and poly(methyl methacrylate) matrices They prepared metal sulfides/polymer nanocomposites by solution casting method, with good results. Violent collapse of bubbles in less than a microsecond produces extreme heat, forming short-lived hot spots, and high pressure These extreme transient conditions allow synthesis on the benchtop, at room-temperature conditions, in media that would otherwise require high temperatures, high pressures, or long reaction times[11,12]. Our work contributes to the development of inorganic nanomaterials as active fillers for commodity polymers
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