Incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles in PVC/ENR blends

This study was initiated to introduce titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles as filler into polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) blends by melt blending technique. Incorporation of TiO₂ as filler is believed to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of PVC/ENR blends. The PVC/ENR blends incorporation with TiO₂ was then being exposed to 0-150 kGy of electron beam irradiation as to impart the cross-linking between polymer chain and filler, before it was characterized. Based on the result, it was found that addition of 6 phr of TiO₂ and electron beam irradiation effects caused an increase in the tensile strength (Ts) of the PVC/ENR blends. With addition of 6 phr TiO₂ nanoparticles, tensile strength of irradiated PVC/ENR was found optimum at 50 kGy before the Ts value dropped with higher exposure to irradiation dose rate. The morphology of PVC/ENR blends with addition of TiO₂ nanoparticles provides evidence for the good distribution of TiO₂ in the blend matrix with diameter range of 15-60 nm and the melt blending technique is an efficient technique to prepare PVC/ENR/TiO₂ nanocomposites.