Synergetic effect of poly(vinyl butyral) and calcium carbonate on thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride) nanocomposites investigated by TG-FTIR-MS

In order to improve poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) thermal stability, poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) matrix and calcium carbonate nanoparticles were incorporated in plasticized PVC. Thermal properties of these composites were investigated by thermogravimetry analysis coupled with mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). This approach highlighted the efficiency of both PVB and CaCO(3) as HCl scavengers by postponing both the onset degradation temperature and the HCl release. Moreover, a synergetic effect was evidenced regarding the HCl release. Finally, kinetic parameters of the PVC first degradation stage, determined using the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa's method, revealed a significant increase of the activation energy by incorporation of CaCO(3) in the presence or not of PVB.