Enhancement of thermal properties of polyacrylonitrile by reinforcement of Mg‐Al layered double hydroxide

The in situ polymerization technique was used for synthesis of polyacrylonitrile nanocomposites (PAN/LDH) by reinforcement of different concentrations of Mg‐Al layered double hydroxide (LDH). Molecular interaction between Mg/Al LDH and PAN matrix was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology of PAN/LDH nanocomposite was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Energy dispersive spectroscopy of nanocomposites were noticed to establish the elemental composition of the composite. High resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to study the nanostructural distribution of LDH with PAN matrix, whereas crystalline patterns were explained by selected area electron diffraction studies. The thermal properties of nanocomposites were studied by thermo‐gravimetric analysis. It was found that, the thermal property of PAN was substantially enhanced due to strong interfacial adhesion of Mg‐Al‐LDH with PAN matrix. Further, it was noticed that the thermal stability of PAN/LDH nanocomposites were increased with increasing concentration of LDH. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:2140–2144, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineer