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Role of plasticizer and dispersion methods on the properties of poly(vinyl chloride) and clay nanocomposites

This article evaluates the effects of different plasticizers and mixture methods of clay dispersion in a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix. Three plasticizers were employed: dioctyl adipate (DOA), dioctyl phthalate (DOP), and a green plasticizer (poly‐ɛ‐caprolactone [PCL]). The effect of clay pre‐dispersion in plasticizers was also evaluated using two mixing methods: sonication and mechanical mixture. A heterogenic dispersion of the clay in the PVC matrix and different plasticization regions were observed in thermal properties and in morphology results. However, it was observed that pre‐dispersion decreased clay agglomerates size and some intercalated/exfoliated regions were also found. The clay addition increased 5% on Young's modulus for PVC/DOP with clay dispersion using sonication methods and 10% for PVC/PCL without clay dispersion. The DOA addition led to a decrease in Young's modulus. According to these results, it can be reasoned that clay pre‐dispersion in plasticizers may facilitate intercalation, but does not eliminate all clay agglomerates, and the morphology and plasticizer type influence mechanical properties of plasticized PVC/clay. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:E172–E176, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers