Abstract
The surface of α-alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles was first modified with γ-aminopropyltriethoxy silane as a coupling agent. Then a series of poly(vinyl alcohol)/ surface modified Al2O3 nanocomposite suspensions were prepared in ethanol by a simple ultrasonic irradiation process. Composite films with 5, 10, and 15 wt % of inorganic Al2O3 nanoparticles were achieved after solvent evaporation. The formation of the composite materials were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and optical transparencies. The FE-SEM and TEM results showed a homogenous dispersion of nanoscale inorganic particles in the poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix. TGA thermographs showed that the thermal stability of the prepared Al2O3-reinforced nanocomposites was improved, increasing with increasing content of the nanoparticles. According to the optical transparencies, the optical clarity of poly(vinyl alcohol)/Al2O3 nanocomposite films was only slightly affected by the presence of the Al2O3 content.