MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES STUDIES OF POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL) LEAD SALTS COMPLEXES

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was found to form complexes with PbCl2, Pb(N O3)(2), and Pb(CH3COO)(2). Different complex compositions were prepare d by casting technique. Microdomains were observed in the case of the PbCl2-PVA system. Complexes of PbCl2-PVA system are semicrystalline ov er the entire composition range. PbCl2-PVA complexes are stable to tem peratures greater than 350 degrees C in comparison to 225 degrees C of pure PVA. The general features of the microdomains depends upon the t emperature and the salt concentration. The hardness properties of the binary mixture were found to change in a nonlinear mode exhibiting a m aximum value with the increase of the PbCl2 content and in a linear mo de for the other salts. (C) 1995 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.