Poly(vinyl chloride)/TiO_2 nanocomposite resin via the synthesis of TiO_2 nanoparticles in vinyl chloride followed by in situ suspension polymerization

摘要

There are various methods established and implemented to prepare polymer/TiO_2 nanocomposites, but the choice of preparation method is limited in the case of most frequently used commodity polymers because of their enormous production and low price. In situ suspension polymerization is rarely reported, because suspension is a severe condition to maintain the dispersion of nanoparticles in monomer phase. However, not only the incorporation of nanoparticle but also the preservation of morphology and processing condition can be attained if in situ suspension polymerization is achieved in the polymer resins mainly produced by suspension polymerization such as PVC. In this study, we prepared PVC/TiO_2 nanocomposite resin via the synthesis of highly dispersible TiO_2 nanoparticles in the vinyl chloride, followed by in situ suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride which contained the nanoparticles. Solvothermal method is applied to the nanoparticle preparation, and the prepared TiO_2 nanoparticles have controlled sizes, shapes, and crystalline phases with the types and concentrations of precursor and oxygen donor. The film samples from prepared PVC/TiO_2 nanocomposites resins are highly transparent due to the minimized visible light scattering which is an evidence of high dispersity of TiO_2 nanoparticles.