Nano calcium carbonate from golden apple snail and oyster shells as reinforcing filler for poly(vinyl chloride)

Abstract

This research studied the use of calcium carbonate from golden apple snail and oyster shells as reinforcing filler for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), in order to replace commercial calcium carbonate (CaCO3) to reduce production costs and increase waste value. CaCO3 was synthesized by hydrothermal process. The mechanical, morphology and thermal properties of PVC compound reinforced by CaCO3 from golden apple snail and oyster shells were investigated and compared with commercial CaCO3 filled PVC. The optimum condition for producing nano-CaCO3 by hydrothermal process from golden apple snail or oyster shells was to set the temperature at 100oC and digested for 1 h. The particle sizes of CaCO3 were within the range of 30-850 nm and 50-246 nm, respectively. The morphological study of PVC composites revealed that CaCO3 particles obtained from golden apple snail shells or oyster shell after hydrothermal process had good adhesive interface with PVC matrix. The tensile strength, elongation at break, and hardness of PVC composite material by adding CaCO3 from golden apple snail shells or oyster shell after hydrothermal process were higher than those before hydrothermal process. Finally, the mechanical properties of CaCO3 from golden apple snail or oyster shells after hydrothermal process filled PVC composite materials were similar to those of commercial CaCO3 filled ones.