Improved Organically Treated Nanoclay-Polyurethane Nanocomposite

Recently, nanocomposites are used in a wide range of applications; however the incompatibility between all components causes some drawbacks. Treatment of filler can solve this problem through formation of improved filler-matrix interface. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of filling polyurethane matrix with (0.5, 1 and 1.5) wt.% layered double hydroxide nanoclay, as coating. Magnesium aluminium layered double hydroxide nanoclay (LDH) was firstly prepared via coprecipitation process, and then modified with palmitic acid via anion exchange to obtain the functionalized LDH (FLDH) nanoclay. The influence of treatment reaction on the synthesized polyurethane is studied. The treatment reaction was confirmed by FTIR; also the DLS and XRD data show dispersion of nanofillers, and amorphous structure after functionalization. TGA curves approve the performed functionalization reaction due to insertion of lower thermally stable fatty acid in nanoclay layers. Furthermore, the FLDH-polyurethane nanocomposite achieved enhanced mechanical properties, due to the strong interface between FLDH nanofiller and polyurethane matrix. The results reveal the improved characteristics after treatment, as a result of the compatibility between nanofiller and hydrophobic polyurethane matrix. Keywords: Polyurethane, Layered double hydroxide, Nanocomposites.