Abstract
Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) loaded with vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanoparticles was successfully prepared at room temperature and ambient pressure. Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the final product. It was found that V2O5 nanoparticles were well dispersed and uniform in shape and that the diameter of the particles was confined to within 8 nm. Addition of small amounts (0.2-1 wt%) of nanoparticulate V2O5 to PVA increased the electrical conductivity as well as the modulus of elasticity. The deformation behaviour after preparing the nanocomposites, irrespective of V2O5 concentration, is similar to that of the unfilled elastomer, implying that the mechanism of large deformation is mainly governed by the matrix. (c) 2007 Society of Chemical Industry.