Pyrolysis behaviour of titanium dioxide–poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) composite materials

Inorganic–organic hybrid materials are studied due to the unique properties they exhibit. As these materials become more widely applied, particularly as precursor materials for forming inorganic materials, it is essential that the pyrolysis behaviour is understood. Transparent yellow hybrid materials consisting of titanium dioxide and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) were prepared using sol–gel processing techniques. The hybrids maintained their transparency up to the highest achieved inorganic loading of 57 wt.%. These materials were characterised using thermogravimetric analysis in which the organic component was pyrolysed. The resultant chars were then investigated using optical microscopy, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The inorganic loading had an effect on char formation, with higher loadings leading to the formation of pyrolysis intermediates which were less apparent in samples of lower inorganic content. The pyrolysis intermediates were found to be carbon-rich.