Title: Study on preparation, morphology, and some properties of EVA/silica nanocomposites

Authors: Nguyen Thuy Chinh; Trinh Anh Truc; Dinh Thi Mai Thanh; Nguyen Thi Thu Trang; Thai Hoang; Tran Dai Lam; Nguyen Van Khoi

Addresses: Institute for Tropical Technology (ITT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay Distr., Hanoi, Vietnam ' Institute for Tropical Technology (ITT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay Distr., Hanoi, Vietnam ' Institute for Tropical Technology (ITT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay Distr., Hanoi, Vietnam ' Institute for Tropical Technology (ITT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay Distr., Hanoi, Vietnam ' Institute for Tropical Technology (ITT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay Distr., Hanoi, Vietnam ' Institute of Materials Science (IMS), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cau Giay Distr., Hanoi, Vietnam ' Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cau Giay Distr., Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract: The effect of Silica Nanoparticles (SNP) on the structural, morphologial mechanical, rheological and thermal properties of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) containing 18 wt.% vinyl acetate has been investigated. The EVA/silica nanocomposites (ENCs) were prepared by in-situ synthesis method from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The obtained samples have been characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The optimal conditions for ENC preparation (e.g. mixing temperature and mixing time and pH value) were found. FT-IR and FESEM techniques were used for monitoring the formation and the dispersion of SNP in EVA matrix. With SNP presence, the mechanical, rheological and thermal properties of EVA are significantly improved. Among the tested ENCs, the sample 15 wt.% TEOS has the best properties.

Keywords: in-situ synthesis method; EVA copolymer; ethylene vinyl acetate; nanocomposites; SNP; silica nanoparticles; mechanical properties; thermal properties; nanotechnology; morphology; rheology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2013.053148

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2013 Vol.10 No.3/4, pp.351 - 362

Published online: 05 Apr 2013 *

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