Facile and green methodology for surface-grafted Al2O3 nanoparticles with biocompatible molecules: preparation of the poly(vinyl alcohol)@poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) nanocomposites

The present work describes preparation of modified alumina with biocompatible, water soluble, and treating agents such as citric acid and ascorbic acid. Also, the influence of the modified nanoparticles (NPs) into the blend of poly(vinyl alcohol)@poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (50/50) matrix was studied. At first, citric acid and ascorbic acid as environmental friendly agents were grafted on the surface of Al2O3 NPs. Then, nanocomposites (NCs) with different amounts of modified Al2O3 NPs were prepared via a simple ultrasonic method. The characterizations of the molecular structure of the NCs specified that chemical and physical interactions happened between inorganic and organic counterparts. The mutual effect of modified NPs into the polymer matrix was investigated on the structural, interfacial interaction, thermal stability, and optical properties. The results from morphological characterization confirmed changes in morphology of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) after loading NPs. Uniform dispersion of modified spherical Al2O3 NPs powders into the matrix of 50/50 polymers was detected by field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray. Adding M-NPs into the polymer matrix expressively improved the thermal stability of NCs. Peaks in ultraviolet-visible spectra were shifted to the higher absorption. Copyright (c) 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.