Sb-intercalated layered double hydroxides–poly(vinyl chloride) nanocomposites: Preparation, characterization, and thermal stability

In this study, a novel -intercalated layered double hydroxide (Sb-LDH) was prepared by simultaneous recovering of LDH structures and intercalation of into LDH layers. The prepared Sb-LDH composites remain the hydrotalcite structure with layered geometry and show higher thermal property than that of LDH. When applied to poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites, Sb-LDH showed limited thermal stability for PVC at the early stage of thermal and thermooxidative degradation processes. However, Sb-LDH could retard the thermal cracking of the carbonaceous conjugated polyene of PVC which may hinder further degradation, and the moderate amount of Sb-LDH (1, 2, and 5 wt %) in PVC resin can retard the process of decarbonation and enhance char formation. Sb-LDH also promoted the transparency of PVC but darkened the color. With the advantages of transparency promotion, high temperature resistance, and long-term stability, the prepared Sb-LDH is a potential thermal stabilizer for PVC resins. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132 , 42524.