Fabrication of poly(vinyl alcohol)/bentonite nanocomposites using sol-gel method

Abstract

The aim of this study was to find the characteristics of mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/ bentonite nanocomposites. The method used in making nanocomposites is sol-gel method. The natural bentonite (size of 35.26 nm) obtained from North Sumatra, Indonesia, was added to the solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) with the quantity varied, namely 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 wt %. The nanocomposites yielded was then characterized by using tensile test, scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed that the maximum weight of added bentonite, which improved the mechanical properties and produced more homogenous surface, was 6 wt %, whereas the variation of 2, 4 and 8 wt % of bentonite resulted in a decreased elasticity modulus. However, thermal properties is preferable to improve in the 0 wt % of bentonite.