Preparation of flower-like magnesium hydroxide nanostructure and its influence on the thermal stability of poly vinyl acetate and poly vinyl alcohol

Flower-like magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)(2)) nanostructures were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal reaction between magnesium nitrate, ethylene diamine and hydrazine hydrate. The Mg(OH)(2) were then added to poly vinyl acetate (PVAc) and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA). The effect of Mg(OH)(2) nanostructures on the thermal stability of the polymeric matrixes has been investigated. Thermal decomposition of the nanocomposites shift towards higher temperature in the presence of Mg(OH)(2) nanostructures. The enhancement of thermal stability of nanocomposites is due to endothermically decomposition of Mg(OH)(2) and release of water which dilutes combustible gases. Nanostructure and nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), derivative thermogravimetric analysis (DTG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.