Nano‐SiO2/PVC Composite Material: A Review on Modification, Preparation, Properties, and Applications

ABSTRACT Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely used plastic product due to its advantages, such as low cost, high production volume, and broad application range. Extensive literature reports various modifications of PVC, such as polymerization and grafting; however, its filler modification has rarely been mentioned. Silica (SiO 2 ), owing to its excellent properties, including chemical stability and reinforcement, serves as an ideal filler for PVC modification. Most studies utilize unmodified nano‐SiO 2 , which tends to agglomerate due to its high surface energy and unique surface chemistry, reducing interfacial adhesion in composites. Therefore, modification of SiO 2 is essential. This review elaborates on physical and chemical modification strategies for nano‐SiO 2 , such as heat treatment, coupling agent modification, and plasma treatment. Modified nano‐SiO 2 enhances mechanical and thermal properties. The process characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of preparing nano‐SiO 2 /PVC composites via blending, sol–gel, and in situ polymerization methods are discussed. Finally, the influence of nano‐SiO 2 on the thermal, mechanical, dielectric, and optical properties of PVC materials is analyzed, demonstrating improvements in properties such as degradation temperature and tensile strength. Additionally, challenges and future research directions for nano‐SiO 2 /PVC composites are presented.