Role of nano SiC in enhancement of mechanical, barrier, and flame-retardant properties of PANI-co-PAA films.

Herein, polyaniline-copolyacryclicacid(PANI-co-PAA) nanocomposite films are prepared via in situ polymerization technique with dispersion of functionalized-nano silicon carbide(f-SiC). The morphological analysis evidences reduction in voids due to the presence of SiC Nps. PANI-co-PAA/f-SiC films show significant improvement in thermal stability, chemical resistance, and flame retardancy by increasing the concentration of nanofiller. The oxygen barrier properties of nanocomposite films increase sevenfolds, compared to PANI-co-PAA matrix. The films show considerable biodegradation in sludge water treatment which diminishes with increase in concentration of nano SiC. The mechanical, thermal, gas barrier, flame retardancy, chemical-resistant, and biodegradation properties render the PANI-co-PAA/f-SiC films effective for packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]