effects of soft-segment molecular weight and organic modifier on properties of organic-modified MMT-PU nanocomposites

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 114; no. 2; pp. 1025 - 1032
• Main Authors: Wang, Chia-Hao, Shieh, Yeong-Tarng, Nutt, Steven
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 15.10.2009; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Differential scanning calorimetry; Elongation; Exact sciences and technology; fillers; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Molecular weight; nanoclay; Nanocomposites; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymerization; Polyurethane resins; polyurethanes; reinforcement; Reproduction; Segments; Technology of polymers; Transmission electron microscopy; Clay; Elastic modulus; Strengthening; Organic clay; Montmorillonite; Mechanical properties; nanoclay; Thermoplastic rubber; Dispersion reinforced material; Tensile property; Crystallinity; Experimental study; nanocomposites; polyurethanes; Composite material; Surface treatment; fillers; Polyurethane elastomer; Quaternary ammonium compound; Thermal properties; Nanocomposite; Property structure relationship; reinforcement
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.30560

The effects of soft-segment molecular weight and organic modification of montmorillonite (MMT) on thermal and mechanical properties of segmented polyurethane (PU) elastomers were investigated. The PU/MMT nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization, and the compositions included soft segments with number average molecular weights of 1000, 2000, and 2900, and organic-modified MMT (including MMT-30B and MMT-I30E). The nanocomposites produced were characterized using wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical testing. The TEM and XRD results revealed that both MMT-30B and MMT-I30E were intercalated, and partially exfoliated by the PU. Mechanical tests showed that the PU1000 series in soft-segment molecular weight yielded superior tensile properties compared with the PU2000 and PU2900 series. Also, for a given molecular weight of soft segment in PU, the MMT-30B nanocomposites exhibited greater increases in Young's modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break than the MMT-I30E counterpart, and the crystallinity of PU was enhanced by the clays.