Synthesis and Performance Evaluation of Vermiculite as a Functional Filler to Enhance Thermal Stability of PVC‐Based Composites

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) finds use in diverse applications such as cables, pipes, films, packaging, automobiles, fibers, plastics, and laminates but the major limitation associated with the use of PVC is its low thermal stability. Therefore, thermal stabilizers, fillers and additives are added to the PVC matrix to enhance its thermal stability. In the present work, an attempt has been made to utilize functionalized vermiculite (VMT) clay as a filler for PVC matrix to enhance its thermal stability. The vermiculite clay was modified using organic modifier cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and the resultant functionalized clay (CPC‐VMT) was characterized by Fourier transform infra‐red (FTIR) spectroscopic technique and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) technique to confirm structural modification. This functionalized clay was then used as a filler to make PVC‐based vermiculite composite films by solvent casting. The composite films so obtained were characterized by FTIR spectroscopic and XRD technique, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) technique. The TGA studies indicated enhanced thermal stability with 2 wt% and 4 wt% loading of functionalized vermiculite clay in comparison to pristine PVC film. The SEM studies of charred 4 wt% PVC‐based composite film showed no cracks indicating better heat tolerance in comparison to pristine PVC film.