Preparation and characterization of poly(vinyl chloride)/organoclay nanocomposites by <i>in situ</i> intercalation

Abstract

Abstract In this article, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)–organoclay nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization intercalation and melt blending intercalation, respectively. Their nanostructures were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Differences in the morphologies of the PVC hybrids prepared by in situ intercalation and melt intercalation were investigated. In addition, three kinds of organoclay were used, in order to consider the effect of the interlayer environment on intercalation. The results show that ammonium cations have a great influence on the hybrids prepared by melt intercalation, while they have no obvious effect on the nanostructures of the composites produced via in situ intercalation due to its distinctive process and its mechanism. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry