Improved thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride) by nanoscale layered double hydroxide particles grafted with toluene-2,4-di-isocyanate

A novel interlamellar surface modification of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) via covalent bonding by toluene-2,4-di-isocyanate (TDI) has been successfully obtained, and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/TDI-modified LDH nanocomposites have been prepared via solution intercalation process. After the interlamellar modification, TDI was grafted to the surface hydroxyl groups of LDHs with nitrate, dodecyl sulfate or stearate anion as counterion anion. The structures of the TDI-modified LDHs and the nanocomposites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The enhanced thermal stability of PVC/TDI-modified LDH nanocomposites was confirmed by means of conventional Congo Red test and dynamic thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In addition, the thermal degradation mechanism was briefly discussed on the basis of the above experimental results.