A one?step mechanochemical process has been used for preparing molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets with hydroxy functional groups. By homogeneously incorporating these MoS2 nanosheets at low loading, a poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer exhibits elongation at break of 154%, toughness of 82?MJ/m3, and in?plane thermal conductivity of 2.31?W/m?K. Significant reduction in gas (helium) permeability is also found. The prepared modified polymer can be potentially used in packaging and fire retardancy related areas.ABSTRACTNew multifunctional materials with both high structural and gas barrier performances are important for a range of applications. Herein we present a one?step mechanochemical process to prepare molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets with hydroxy functional groups that can simultaneously improve mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and gas permittivity of a polymer composite. By homogeneously incorporating these functionalized MoS2 nanosheets at low loading of less than 1 vol %, a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymer exhibits elongation at break of 154%, toughness of 82?MJ/m3, and in?plane thermal conductivity of 2.31?W/m?K. Furthermore, this composite exhibits significant gas barrier performance, reducing the permeability of helium by 95%. Under fire condition, the MoS2 nanosheets form thermally stable char, thus enhancing the material's resistance to fire. Hydrogen bonding has been identified as the main interaction mechanism between the nanofillers and the polymer matrix. The present results suggest that the PVA composite reinforced with 2D layered nanomaterial offers great potentials in packaging and fire retardant applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019

» Author: Jin Zhang, Weiwei Lei, Jurg Schutz, Dan Liu, Bin Tang, Chun H. Wang, Xungai Wang

» Reference: doi:10.1002/polb.24799

» Publication Date: 14/02/2019

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