Effect of the Addiction of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on the Physical, Chemical and Thermal Properties of PVA Based Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based nanocomposites consisting of metallic oxide nanoparticles (TiO2, ZnO, ZrO2) were obtained from an aqueous solution of 7% PVA, in order to compare the microstructural, and physical properties of bionanocomposite films reinforced with various loading contents (0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% w/w). They were evaluated regarding their molecular toughness through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), regarding their chemical structural through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), regarding their crystallinity throught X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and regarding termal properties through Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The NMR results showed that the smallest concentrations of these oxides have a tendency to disperse better in the polymeric matrix, improving the structural toughness. Besides, changes in the termal resistance of the material were found with the use of TGA and DSC.