In this thesis, a series of novel nanocomposites (NC)s based on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with different concentration of modified ZnO nanoparticles (NP)s was prepared by solution mixing as well as facil and fast ultrasonic dispersion method. In the first four projects, ZnO for having better dispersion of ZnO and compatibility with organic media such as polymeric matrix, were modified with biosafe and biodegradable molecules including citric acid, poly(vinyl alcohol), synthesised optical active diacid containing L-alanin amino acid, citric acid along with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) under ultrasonic irradiation conditions. In the fifth project, ZnO were synthesised and modified with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid during the synthesis process. The hydroxyl groups on the ZnO surfaces can interact with modifiers functional groups. The grafting was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Afterward, due to importance of poly(vinyl chloride) and the effect of modification on the dispersion as a filler in polymeric matrix and also, effect on the polymer properties, PVC/modified ZnO NCs were fabricated. For this aim, PVC has been selected as a polymeric matrix and its NCs with the different contents of modified ZnO (4, 8, 12 wt%) were prepared via ultrasonication. The obtained NCs were studied by TGA, X-ray diffraction FE-SEM, TEM, UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy. Also, mechanical and microbial test were performed and results were reported. The microstructure study indicated the compatibility of modified ZnO with PVC and uniform distribution of them in the polymer matrix. TGA results demonstrated that incorporation of citric acid modified ZnO into PVC matrix can improve thermal stability of the NCs. Also, the modified ZnO enhanced mechanical and optical properties of prepared NC films. Microbial test demonstrated antibacterial activity of the NCs against two bacteria. The TEM results showed the uniform dispersion of particles in nanoscale in the polymer matrix.
