Effects of halloysite nanotubes and kaolin loading on the tensile,swelling, and oxidative degradation properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan blends

Halloysite nanotubes (HNT)]‐filled and kaolin filled composite films based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/chitosan (CS) blend were prepared via solution casting method. Tensile properties, fracture morphology, FTIR spectra, thermal stability, swelling properties, moisture absorption, and oxidative degradation of the composite films were investigated. Addition of 0.5 wt% of filler led to the optimum tensile properties of the films. Increased roughness and tearing in the fracture surface morphology supported the tensile results. The FTIR results indicated there were physical interactions present in the composite films. Thermal stability of the composite films differed slightly where PVA/CS/HNT composite films showed better thermal stability than PVA/CS/kaolin composite films. Moreover, the presence of HNT and kaolin fillers in the blend reduced the swelling and moisture absorption properties of the films. Finally, the composite films were degraded by using Fenton's reagent. Degradation percentage of the composite films decreased with increasing filler loading. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 19:55–64, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers