Thermal properties of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites for biomedical applications

The viability of nanocomposites comprising Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA) filled montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay as candidate materials of biomedical devices was investigated. EVA/MMT nanocomposites were prepared by incorporating the ratios 0, 1, 3 and 5% of organoclay MMT to EVA copolymer. In vitro biostability of the neat EVA and EVA nanocomposites was compared and assessed by exposing the materials to oxidizing and hydrolytic agents for 4 weeks at 37 degrees C. The thermal properties of the neat EVA and EVA nanocomposites nanoclay filled were studied by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA results indicate that the EVA nanocomposite sample containing 1 wt% MMT exhibits higher T-onset and significant reduction in the rate of mass loss as compared to the neat EVA and other nanocomposites.