Combining Mag-Org fillers with epoxy-functionalised graphene to enhance the thermal stability of the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based matrix while optimising its mechanical properties

Lahouari Mrah; Zoulikha Khiati

doi:10.1515/ipp-2025-0084

Article

Combining Mag-Org fillers with epoxy-functionalised graphene to enhance the thermal stability of the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based matrix while optimising its mechanical properties

Lahouari Mrah and Zoulikha Khiati

Published/Copyright: October 13, 2025

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From the journal International Polymer Processing Volume 40 Issue 5

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the behaviour of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based nanocomposites to determine the optimal conditions for enhancing their morphological, thermal and mechanical properties. The study focuses on the impact of combining two categories of reinforcements on the properties of PVC-based nanocomposites. The results highlight a significant synergy between Org@Mag fillers and epoxy-functionalized graphene. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and micrographs obtained by transmission and scanning electron microscopies (TEM and SEM) of the various nanocomposites developed reveal significantly improved dispersion of graphene layers and clay sheets in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix. The Org@Mag/Gr combination led to a tendency for the development of a co-continuous PVC morphology, optimizing the diffusion and distribution of reinforcements in the matrix. PVC-based nanocomposites exhibit significantly superior mechanical behavior to pure PVC, particularly due to the incorporation of montmorillonite and graphene hybrids. The incorporation of nanometric fillers increases the thermal stability of PVC. The measured strength and modulus values confirm this trend.

Keywords: polyvinyl chloride; interlayer distance; organomontmorillonite/graphene; synergy; adhesion

Corresponding author: Lahouari Mrah, Higher School of Electrical and Energy Engineering, Chemin Vicinal No. 9, 31000, Oran, Algeria; and Faculty of Exact and Applied Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry Laboratory, Oran 1 University, A. Ben Bella, BP 1524 El M’naouar, 31000, Oran, Algeria, E-mail: houarimrah3@gmail.com

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Directorate General of Scientific Research and Technological Devel-opment (DGRSDT) and Higher School of Electrical and Energy Engineering, Oran, Chemin Vicinal N°9, 31000, Algeria.

Research ethics: Not applicable.
Informed consent: Not applicable.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Research funding: None declared.
Data availability: Not applicable.

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Supplementary Material

This article contains supplementary material (https://doi.org/10.1515/ipp-2025-0084).

Received: 2025-07-30

Accepted: 2025-08-29

Published Online: 2025-10-13

Published in Print: 2025-11-25

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Supplementary Material

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Keywords for this article

polyvinyl chloride; interlayer distance; organomontmorillonite/graphene; synergy; adhesion