Mechanical properties, flame retardancy, and smoke suppression of lanthanum organic montmorillonite/poly(vinyl chloride) nanocomposites

A dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium chloride modified organic montmorillonite (OMMT-I.44P)/poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) nanocomposite and anionic-surfactant-modified lanthanum organic montmorillonite (La-OMMT)/PVC nanocomposites (with three different anionic surfactants for the La-OMMTs) were prepared via melt-intercalation technology. The effects of the La-OMMTs and OMMT-I.44P on the mechanical properties, flame retardancy, and smoke suppression of PVC were studied. X-ray diffraction characterization showed that the La-OMMTs were exfoliated in the PVC matrix. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were enhanced by the incorporation of the La-OMMTs. Cone calorimetry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses indicated that the incorporation of the La-OMMTs enhanced the flame retardancy and smoke suppression of the PVC nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy photos further showed that the residual char surfaces of La-OMMT/PVC were all intact and, thus, provided better barriers to energy and smoke transport. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43951.