Preparation and properties of 4-aminobenzoic acid-modified polyvinyl chloride/titanium dioxide and PVC/TiO2 based nanocomposites membranes

Abstract

In this work, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and 4-aminobenzoic acid (4ABA) modified PVC and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposites were prepared by solution blending method. TiO2 was added to PVC (0.5 g) at 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.1 g. PVC matrix was modified using 4-aminobenzoic acid (4ABA). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to confirm the modification of PVC with 4ABA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images depicted homogeneous morphology of modified PVC/TiO2 nanocomposites. XRD results confirmed the formation of PVC/TiO2 nanocomposites. Moreover, the thermal decomposition temperature T10 (10 Wt. % weight loss) of non-modified PVC was 189°C however, modified PVC nanocomposites membranes had 196°C with similar TiO2 content. Furthermore, modified PVC-TiO2 with 0.05 g loading showed homogenous morphology with higher hydrophilicity as determined by porosity, solvent content, and shrinkage ratio. Modified PVC/TiO2 membrane with a lower contact angle (32°) could be used for water purification purposes. These studies suggest that optimum modifier concentration improved the interaction between PVC and TiO2.