Rheological Behavior of Spinning Dope of Polyvinyl Alcohol/attapulgite Nanocomposites

The influences of attapugite (AT) nano-rods on the rheological behaviors of spinning dope of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) have been evaluated by using a RS150L rotational rheometer. The effects of AT nano-rods on the temperature and shear rate dependence of the apparent viscosity (eta(a)), non-Newtonian index (n), structure viscosity index (Delta eta) as well as apparent activation energy (Delta E) of the PVA spinning dope are discussed. It has been found that eta(a) decreases with the addition of AT nano-rods. n and Delta eta are more temperature dependent after the addition of AT nano-rods. The temperature dependence of eta(a) can be well described by Arrhenius Equation. Delta E increases obviously after the addition of AT into PVA spinning dope, showing a higher temperature dependency. Special nano-rod like structure of AT, dispersion and alignment effect of AT nano-rods in PVA, and the interaction between AT and PVA are all discussed as affecting factors.