Poly(vinyl alcohol) Composites Containing Layered Hydroxide Salts, Intercalated with Anionic Azo Dyes (Tropaeolin 0 and Tropaeolin 0)

Layered zinc hydroxide salts were intercalated with anionic azo dyes, obtaining orange pigments. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TGA/DTA/DSC) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). After characterization, the layered pigments were dispersed into a matrix of poly(vinyl alcohol) - PVA, in variable concentrations, in relation to the PVA mass. Homogeneous, transparent and colorful films were obtained by wet casting method and kept in a desiccator at 65% of humidity for one week and evaluated in relation to their mechanical properties. Owing to the different intercalated anions polarities, different behaviors were observed for both pigments when used as fillers in PVA. This work opens a research front in the utilization of layered hydroxide salt intercalated with anionic dyes, as alternative fillers in polymer composite materials.