Mechanical, thermal and optical properties of nanocomposite films prepared by solution mixing of poly(vinyl alcohol) with titania nanoparticles modified with citric acid and vitamin C

The aim of this work was to fabricate the nanocomposite films based on poly(vinyl alcohol) and investigate their thermal stability, mechanical and optical properties of nanocomposite films. For this purpose, first, the titanium dioxide nanoparticles surface was modified simultaneously with biocompatible citric acid and vitamin C to prevent their agglomeration in the poly(vinyl alcohol)matrix. Afterward, the modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles were embedded into the poly(vinyl alcohol)matrix via solution casting along with ultrasonic method. The prepared nanocomposite films were characterized by different analyses such as Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analysis. Fourier transform infrared emphasized the presence of citric acid and vitamin C on the titanium dioxide surface as well as their interaction with nanoparticles. Poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites thermal degradation temperature increased by 100℃, tensile strength 300% and E-modulus 200%.