Characterization of Strong and Crystalline Polyvinyl Alcohol/Montmorillonite Films Prepared by Layer-by-Layer Deposition Method

The preparation of a high-strength and highly crystalline nanocomposite with a layered structure by the use of layer-by-layer deposition (LbL) method from polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and montmorillonite (MMT) platelets is reported. The crystallinity and interactions between the components were studied by the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The nanocomposite film structure was investigated by the use of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The stiffness of the LbL PVOH/MMT film was significantly higher compared to pure PVOH and conventional PVOH/MMT nanocomposite. The structural and thermal studies on thin PVOH/MMT films indicated the enhanced crystallinity of the polymer