A Benign and Simple Strategy for Surface Modification of Al2O3 Nanoparticles with Citric Acid and L(+)-Ascorbic Acid and Its Application for the Preparation of Novel Poly(vinyl chloride) Nanocomposite Films

ABSTRACT

In this research, the preparation of nanocomposites (NCs) containing nonaggregated nanoparticles (NPs) was studied. Alumina NPs were functionalized by two coupling agents, citric acid and ascorbic acid. NCs of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) doped with varying amounts of modified Al₂O₃ NPs were synthesized via the ultrasonication method. The X‐ray diffraction confirmed that the structure of the modified Al₂O₃ NPs was still preserved in a pure crystalline phase with the hexagonal structure. Surface morphology showed a picturesque network structure due to the existence of hydrogen bonds in the modified Al₂O₃. It also proved good dispersion of NPs in the polymer matrix in nanoscale.