Preparation and properties of bio-based epoxy montomorillonite nanocomposites derived from polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether and ε-polylysine

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 113; no. 1; pp. 479 - 484
• Main Authors: Takada, Yoshiro, Shinbo, Kiyomi, Someya, Yoshihiro, Shibata, Mitsuhiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 05.07.2009; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; nanocomposites; polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether; polylysine; Polymer industry, paints, wood; renewable resources; Technology of polymers; thermosets; Biological properties; Clay; renewable resources; Montmorillonite; Biodegradability; Epoxy resin; Mechanical properties; Lysine polymer; Dispersion reinforced material; Curing (plastics); Experimental study; nanocomposites; Composite material; Aminoacid polymer; Tensile strength; polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether; polylysine; Preparation; Concentration effect; thermosets; Nanocomposite
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.30015

Glycerol polyglycidyl ether (GPE) and polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether (PGPE) were cured with ε-poly(L-lysine) (PL) using epoxy/amine ratios of 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 to create bio-based epoxy cross-linked resins. When PGPE was used as an epoxy resin and the epoxy/amine ratio was 1 : 1, the cured neat resin showed the greatest glass transition temperature (Tg), as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Next, the mixture of PGPE, PL, and montomorillonite (MMT) at an epoxy/amine ratio of 1 : 1 in water was dried and cured finally at 110°C to create PGPE-PL/MMT composites. The X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements revealed that the composites with MMT content 7-15 wt % were exfoliated nanocomposites and the composite with MMT content 20 wt % was an intercalated nanocomposite. The Tg and storage modulus at 50-100°C for the PGPE-PL/MMT composites measured by DMA increased with increasing MMT content until 15 wt % and decreased at 20 wt %. The tensile strength and modulus of the PGPE-PL/MMT composites (MMT content 15 wt %: 42 and 5300 MPa) were much greater than those of the cured PGPE-PL resin (4 and 6 MPa). Aerobic biodegradability of the PGPE-PL in an aqueous medium was ~ 4% after 90 days, and the PGPE-PL/MMT nanocomposites with MMT content 7-15 wt % showed lower biodegradability.