Review of Recent Developments of Glass Transition in PVC Nanocomposites

This review addresses the impact of different nanoadditives on the glass transition temperature (Tg) of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is a widely used industrial polymer. The relatively high Tg limits its temperature-dependent applications. The objective of the review is to present the state-of-the-art knowledge on the influence of nanofillers of various origins and dimensions on the Tg of the PVC. The Tg variations induced by added nanofillers can be probed mostly by such experimental techniques as thermomechanical analysis (TMA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dielectric thermal analysis (DETA). The increase in Tg is commonly associated with the use of mineral and carbonaceous nanofillers. In this case, a rise in the concentration of nanoadditives leads to an increase in the Tg due to a restraint of the PVC macromolecular chain's mobility. The lowering of Tg may be attributed to the well-known plasticizing effect, which is a consequence of the incorporation of oligomeric silsesquioxanes to the polymeric matrix. It has been well established that the variation in the Tg value depends also on the chemical modification of nanofillers and their incorporation into the PVC matrix. This review may be an inspiration for further investigation of nanofillers' effect on the PVC glass transition temperature.