A hindered phenol containing PVC/CuO nanocomposites; study on the mechanical and thermooxidative properties

The effect of synthesized 5-((4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)diazenyl)isophthalic acid (HBA) containing a hindered phenol derivative on the thermooxidation, hydrochloric acid release time, and mechanical strength of PVC/CuO nanocomposites was studied. Moreover, 5-((4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethylphenyl)diazenyl)isophthalic acid (HMA) was synthesized for comparison of corresponding PVC nanocomposite properties. PVC nanocomposite thin films were prepared through in situ surface modification of CuO nanoparticles with HBA and HMA, individually, in the PVC solution. The XRD and FE-SEM results clarified the desirable dispersion of CuO nanoparticles. The PVC sample with loading of 5 wt% from each HBA and CuO was found to be the most thermally stable, which was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis in inert conditions. The thermooxidation and Congo red test results revealed that the simultaneous loading of HBA and CuO nanoparticles into the PVC matrix could increase the initial thermal degradation and the stability times. Moreover, the PVC sample containing 2.5 wt% each from HBA and CuO nanoparticles exhibited tensile strength almost 20 MPa more than that of neat PVC.