Surface‐modifiers of clay on mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foams/organoclay nanocomposites

Three different surface modifiers, octadecyl trimethyl ammonium (ODTMA), octadecyl primary ammonium (ODPA), and decanediamine (DDA) were used to modify Na⁺? montmorillonite (MMT), and the resultant organoclays were coded as ODTMA‐MMT, ODPA‐MMT, DDA‐MMT, respectively. Rigid PU foams/organoclay composites were prepared by directly using organoclay as the blowing agent without the addition of water. Investigation shows that the morphology of the nanocomposites is greatly dependent on the surface modifiers of clay used in the composites. In detail, DDA‐MMT is partially exfoliated in the PU matrix with the smallest cell size, while two others are intercalated in the PU matrices with smaller cell sizes. The sequence of their cell sizes is pristine PU foams > rigid PU foams/ODTMA‐MMT > rigid PU foams/ODPA‐MMT > rigid PU foams/DDA‐MMT, and the average cell size of rigid PU foams/DDA‐MMT composites decreases evidently from 0.30 to 0.07 mm. Moreover, all rigid PU foams/organoclay composites show remarkable enhanced compressive and tensile strengths as well as dynamic properties than those of PU foams, and the enhancement degree coincides well with the relative extent of internal hydrogen bonding of materials and gallery spacing of organoclay. For example, in the case of rigid PU foams/DDA‐MMT composite, 214% increase in compressive strength and 148% increase in tensile strength compared with those of pure PU foams were observed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(urethane‐benzoxazine)/clay hybrid nanocomposites

Poly(urethane‐benzoxazine)/clay hybrid nanocomposites (PU/Pa–OMMTs) were prepared from an in situ copolymerization of a polyurethane (PU) prepolymer and a monofunctional benzoxazine monomer, 3‐phenyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐1,3‐benzoxazine (Pa), in the presence of an organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT), by solvent method using DMAc. OMMT was made from cation‐exchange of Na‐montmorillonite (MMT) with dodecyl ammonium chloride. The formation of the exfoliated nanocomposite structures of PU/Pa‐OMMT was confirmed by XRD from the disappearance of the peak due to the basal diffraction of the layer‐structured clay found in both MMT and OMMT. DSC showed that, in the presence of OMMT, the curing temperature of PU/Pa lowered by ca. 60°C for the onset and ca. 20°C for the maximum. After curing at 190°C for 1 h, the exothermic peak on DSC disappeared. All the obtained films of PU/Pa–OMMT were deep yellow and transparent. As the content of OMMT increased, both the tensile modulus and strength of PU/Pa–OMMT films increased, while the elongation decreased. The characteristics of the PU/Pa–OMMT films changed from plastics to elastomers depending on OMMT content and PU/Pa ratio. PU/Pa–OMMT films also exhibited excellent resistance to the solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, N,N‐dimethylformamide and N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone. The thermal stability of PU/Pa were enhanced remarkably even with small amount of OMMT. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 4075–4083, 2003     

Influence of granulometry and organic treatment of a Brazilian montmorillonite on the properties of poly(styrene‐co‐n‐butyl acrylate)/layered silicate nanocomposites prepared by miniemulsion polymerization

The influence of granulometry and organic treatment of a Brazilian montmorillonite (MMT) clay on the synthesis and properties of poly(styrene‐co‐n‐butyl acrylate)/layered silicate nanocomposites was studied. Hybrid latexes of poly(styrene‐co‐butyl acrylate)/MMT were synthesized via miniemulsion polymerization using either sodium or organically modified MMT. Five clay granulometries ranging from clay particles smaller than 75 μm to colloidal size were selected. The size of the clay particles was evaluated by specific surface area measurements (BET). Cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride was used as an organic modifier to enhance the clay compatibility with the monomer phase before polymerization and to improve the clay distribution and dispersion within the polymeric matrix after polymerization. The sodium and organically modified natural clays as well as the composites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The latexes were characterized by dynamic light scattering. The mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of the composites obtained were characterized by dynamical‐mechanical analysis, thermogravimetry, and small amplitude oscillatory shear tests, respectively. The results showed that smaller the size of the organically modified MMT, the higher the degree of exfoliation of nanoplatelets. Hybrid latexes in presence of Na‐MMT resulted in materials with intercalated structures. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Synthesis of poly(butyl acrylate‐co‐methyl methacrylate)/montmorillonite waterborne nanocomposite via semibatch emulsion polymerization

Poly(butyl acrylate‐co‐methyl methacrylate)‐montmorillonite (MMT) waterborne nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by semibatch emulsion polymerization. The syntheses of the nanocomposites were performed in presence of sodium montmorillonite (Na‐MMT) and organically modified montmorillonite (O‐MMT). O‐MMT was used directly after the modification of Na‐MMT with dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium chloride. Both Na‐MMT and O‐MMT were sonified to obtain nanocomposites with 47 wt % solids and 3 wt % Na‐MMT or O‐MMT content. Average particle sizes of Na‐MMT nanocomposites were measured as 110–150 nm while O‐MMT nanocomposites were measured as 200–350 nm. Both Na‐MMT and O‐MMT increased thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties (water vapor and oxygen permeability) of the pristine copolymer explicitly. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope studies show that exfoliated morphology was obtained. The gloss values of O‐MMT nanocomposites were found to be higher than that of the pristine copolymer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42373.     

Mechanical properties of polyurethane/montmorillonite nanocomposite prepared by melt mixing

Nanocomposites from polyurethane (PU) and montmorillonite (MMT) were prepared under melt‐mixing condition, by a twin screw extruder along with a compatibilizer to enhance dispersion of MMT. MMT used in this study was Cloisite 25A (modified with dimethyl hydrogenated tallow 2‐ethylhexyl ammonium) or Cloisite 30B (modified with methyl tallow bis‐2‐hydroxyethyl ammonium). Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was used as the compatibilizer. XRD and TEM analysis demonstrated that melt mixing by a twin‐screw extruder was effective in dispersing MMT through the PU matrix. The PU/Cloisite 30B composite exhibited better interlayer separation than the PU/Cloiste 25A composite. Nanoparticle dispersion was the best at 1 wt % of MMT and improved with compatibilizer content for both composites. Properties of the composites such as complex viscosity and storage modulus were higher than that of a pure PU matrix and increased with the increase in MMT content, but decreased with the increase in compatibilizer content. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Influence of the clay modification and compatibilizer on the structure and mechanical properties of ethylene–propylene–diene rubber/montmorillonite composites

Ethylene–propylene–diene rubber (EPDM)/montmorillonite (MMT) composites were prepared through a melt process, and three kinds of surfactants with different ammonium cations were used to modify MMT and affect the morphology of the composites. The morphology of the composites depended on the alkyl ammonium salt length, that is, the hydrophobicity of the organic surfactants. Organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT), modified by octadecyltrimethyl ammonium salt and distearyldimethyl ammonium salt, was intercalated and partially exfoliated in the EPDM matrix, whereas OMMT modified by hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium chloride exhibited a morphology in which OMMT existed as a common filler. Ethylene–propylene–diene rubber grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH‐g‐EPDM) was used as a compatibilizer and greatly affected the dispersion of OMMT. When OMMTs were modified by octadecyltrimethyl ammonium chloride and distearydimethyl ammonium chloride, the EPDM/OMMT/MAH‐g‐EPDM composites (100/15/5) had an exfoliated structure, and they showed good mechanical properties and high dynamic moduli. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 638–646, 2004     

Influence of clay and predispersion method on the structure and properties of polystyrene (PS)‐clay nanocomposites

To prepare the polystyrene (PS)‐clay nanocomposites via an in situ emulsion polymerization, a clay predispersion method, i.e. dispersing the organic clay in the emulsifier solution by the assistance of ultrasonic, was proposed in this study. The conventional method, predispersing the organic clay into the monomer, was also presented for the comparison. The morphology analysis based on the X‐ray Deflection (XRD) and Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM) results suggested that the more uniform clay dispersion in the final nanocomposites could be achieved through the new method. The inorganic clay (Na‐MMT) and two organic clays (C₁₈‐MMT and VC₁₈‐MMT) synthesized by exchanging inorganic cations with the trimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride (OTAC) and the vinylbenzyldimethyloctadecyl ammoniun chloride (VOAC) were chosen to investigate the influence of the clay surface modification on the properties of nanocomposites. The Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) results showed the storage modulus G′s of the nanocomposites had different enhancements over that of the pure PS, especially when the temperature approached the glass transition temperature (T_g). The T_gs of the nanocomposites, however, varied with the microstructure and the interactions between the polymer and the clay layers. The Na‐MMT and VC₁₈‐MMT increased the T_g, while the T_gs of PS/C₁₈‐MMT nanocomposites were slightly lower than that of the pure PS. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Waste polystyrene foam‐graft‐acrylic acid/montmorillonite superabsorbent nanocomposite

A novel superabsorbent nanocomposite based on partially neutralized acrylic acid, waste polystyrene foam, and sodium type montmorillonite (Na‐MMT) powder was synthesized through emulsion polymerization using N, N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker, 2,2′‐azo‐bisiso‐butyronitrile, ammonium persulfate, and sodium sulfite as mixed redox initiators. The effects of such factors as amount of Na‐MMT, crosslinker, initiator, and neutralization degree on water absorbency of the superabsorbent were investigated. The composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, X‐ray diffraction, thermo gravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscope. The results show that acrylic acid monomer successfully grafted onto the polystyrene chain, the layers of Na‐MMT were exfoliated and dispersed in the composite at nano size after copolymerization. The introduction of waste polystyrene foam in the composite increased the water absorbency rate. The addition of Na‐MMT not only enhanced the thermal stability of the composites but also increased its water absorbency, and the optimal water absorbencies of distilled water and saline water (w_NaCl = 0.9%) of the nanocomposites were more than 1180 g H₂O/g and 72.6 g H₂O/g, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2341–2349, 2007     

Synthesize and characterization of styrene‐N‐phenyl maleimide/montmorillonite nanocomposites prepared through emulsion polymerization

Composites of organomodified (OMMT) and pristine montmorillonite (MMT) intercalated by styrene‐N‐phenyl maleimide (PMI) copolymer were prepared by emulsion intercalative polymerization. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy results show that the dispersability of clay in the matrix was greatly improved by the incorporation of polar moiety PMI. The dispersability of OMMT in the matrix is better than MMT. XRD patterns of the extracted nanocomposites showed that d₀₀₁ of the clay are much larger than that of the original OMMT and MMT, which indicates that the interaction of copolymer with the clay layers was greatly improved by incorporation with polar monomer PMI. The thermal property of the composites was greatly improved by the intercalation with clay. The DSC results showed that the glass transition of the composites became inconspicuous, which indicated that the movement of the polymer segment was extremely confined by the clay layer. The consistency factor of the melts of the composites increased monotonically with a decreasing flow index showing stronger shear thinning property of the composites. The rheological activity energy of the composites decreased more than that of the pure copolymer. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1010–1015, 2005     

Properties and applications of nanoclay reinforced open‐porous polymer composites

Open‐porous nanoclay reinforced polymer composites were prepared via high internal phase emulsion templating using 1,3‐butanediol dimethacrylate and surface modified montmorillonite (SM‐MMT). Organophilic clay was obtained by using a reactive intercalant—quaternary cocoamine salt having a styryl group—for surface modification of MMT. The clay modification resulted in not only intercalated silicate layers but also nanoclay particles compatible with the continuous phase of the emulsions. It was found that increasing clay amount leads to formation of hierarchical porous structure accompanied with larger cavities and interconnected pores. In this respect, cavity size of the resulting composites was found to be altered between 6.78 and 8.82 μm. On the other hand, as compared to bare composites, addition of clay particles increased compressive modulus of the resulting materials from 26.4 to 72.5 MPa. The adsorption capacities of the porous composites for methyl violet 2B were investigated by batch experiments and discussed as a function of their SM‐MMT loading. It was determined that, the dye adsorption of the composites increased with increasing nanoclay amount in the polymer matrix. Thus, the adsorption percentage of the composite loaded with 7 wt % nanoclay was found to be as high as 88%. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45522.     

Structure‐property and swelling behavior of electron beam irradiated poly(vinyl alcohol)/acrylamide/sodium montmorillonite clay composites

Composites based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), acrylamide monomer (AM) and sodium montmorillonite clay (MMT) were prepared, in the form of thin films, by solution casting. The PVA/AM/MMT composites films were then exposed to electron beam irradiation to form crosslinked network structure. The structure‐property behavior of PVA/AM/MMT hybrids was demonstrated by x‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, gel content, color intensity, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and swelling behavior in aqueous solutions. The results indicated that the introduction of MMT clay ratio up to 5% decreased the gel content of PVA/AM hydrogels. The color measurements indicated that the introduction of MMT clay ratio up to 5% was shown to affect the color intensity of composite films. It was found that both PVA/AM hydrogels and PVA/AM/MMT composites reached the equilibrium swelling state in water after four hours; however PVA/AM/MMT composites displayed higher swelling than PVA/AM hydrogels. However, the swelling of PVA/AM hydrogels or their composites at the equilibrium state increased with increasing temperature up to 60°C. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Influence of the type of quaternary ammonium salt used in the organic treatment of montmorillonite on the properties of poly(styrene‐co‐butyl acrylate)/layered silicate nanocomposites prepared by in situ miniemulsion polymerization

Hybrid latices of poly(styrene‐co‐butyl acrylate) were synthesized via in situ miniemulsion polymerization in the presence of 3 and 6 wt % organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT). Three different ammonium salts: cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC), alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (Dodigen), and distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (Praepagen), were investigated as organic modifiers. Increased affinity for organic liquids was observed after organic modification of the MMT. Stable hybrid latices were obtained even though miniemulsion stability was disturbed to some extent by the presence of the OMMTs during the synthesis. Highly intercalated and exfoliated polymer‐MMT nanocomposites films were produced with good MMT dispersion throughout the polymeric matrix. Materials containing MMT modified with the 16 carbons alkyl chain salt (CTAC) resulted in the largest increments of storage modulus, indicating that single chain quaternary salts provide higher increments on mechanical properties. Films presenting exfoliated structure resulted in the largest increments in the onset temperature of decomposition. For the range of OMMT loading studied, the nanocomposite structure influenced more significantly the thermal stability properties of the hybrid material than did the OMMT loading. The film containing 3 wt % MMT modified with the two 18 carbons alkyl chains salt (Praepagen) provided the highest increment of onset temperature of decomposition. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

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

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. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Morphology and mechanical properties of natural rubber latex films modified by exfoliated Na‐montmorillonite/polyethyleneimine‐g‐poly (methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites

Na‐montmorillonite/polyethyleneimine‐g‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (Na‐MMT/PEI‐g‐PMMA) nanocomposite latexes were prepared by soap‐free emulsion polymerization in the aqueous suspension of Na‐MMT. The exfoliated morphology of the nanocomposites was confirmed by XRD and TEM. With the aim of improving morphology and mechanical properties of natural rubber latex (NRL) films, the synthesized Na‐MMT/PEI‐g‐PMMA nanocomposites were mixed with NRL by latex compounding technology. The results of SEM and AFM analysis showed that the surface of NRL/Na‐MMT/PEI‐g‐PMMA film was smoother and denser than that of pristine NRL film while Na‐MMT was dispersed uniformly on the fracture surface of the modified films, which suggested the good compatibility between NRL and Na‐MMT/PEI‐g‐PMMA. The tensile strength of NRL/Na‐MMT/PEI‐g‐PMMA films was increased greatly by 85% with 10 phr Na‐MMT/PEI‐g‐PMMA when Na‐MMT content was 3 wt % and the elongation at break also increased from 930% to 1073% at the same time. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43961.     

Nitroxide‐mediated polymerization of styrene initiated from the surface of montmorillonite clay platelets

Polymer‐grafted montmorillonite (MMT) hybrid composites which possess a hard backbone of MMT and a soft shell of brush‐like polystyrene (PSt) were prepared via “grafting from” strategy based on nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) using 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐N‐oxyl (TEMPO) as mediator. Three steps were used to graft PSt chains to the surface of MMT: anchoring of methacrylatoethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC) onto the surface of MMT by ion exchange reaction first. And then, the surface alkoxyamine initiator was produced in a one‐step process by reacting simultaneously TEMPO, BPO, and DMC in the presence of MMT. Next, PSt chains with controlled molecular weights and polydispersities were grown from the alkoxyamine functionalized MMT surface. The prepared PSt‐g‐MMT hybrid particles have been extensively characterized by FTIR, XPS, XRD, TGA, TEM, respectively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Preparation and mechanical properties of waterborne polyurethane/carbon nanotube composites

Waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite films with 0–4.0 wt% CNTs were prepared by ultrasonic dispersion of carboxylic acid‐functionalized CNTs in WBPU followed by emulsion casting process. The elongations at break of the WBPU/CNTs composites increase with the incorporation of CNTs. The tensile strength and crystallinity of the nanocomposite films with lower CNTs contents (<2 wt%) increase obviously; while the tensile strengths of the composites with more CNTs (≥2 wt%) decrease, in contrast to the pure PU film. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations indicated that the CNTs are uniformly dispersed in the composites incorporated with lower CNTs contents (≤1.5 wt%). However, aggregation of CNTs increased with increasing CNTs content in the WBPU/CNTs composites, causing the macrophase separation. The dispersion state of the CNTs affects the crystallinity of the PU matrix and the phase separation of the composites, which are two key factors to influence the mechanical properties of the WBPU/CNTs composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and properties of polyurethane/montmorillonite nanocomposites cured under room temperature

The polyurethane/C₁₆C₁₈‐MMT (the montmorillonite modified with cetyloctadecyldimethyl ammonium bromide) nanocomposites were synthesized by intercalative polymerization and cured under room temperature. The d‐spacing and the dispersion of the C₁₆C₁₈‐MMT in the nanocomposites were measured by X‐ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites were measured by Universal Testing System, Electric Anti‐fold Instrument, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). It was found out that introducing C₁₆C₁₈‐montmorillonite (MMT) in the polyurethane (PU) displayed good mechanical properties and thermal stability. Rheology behavior in liquid state showed that the addition of the C₁₆C₁₈‐MMT to PU resulted in low gel time and high viscosity. POLYM. COMPOS. 27:470–474, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Polymerizable ionic liquids for the preparation of polystyrene/clay composites

Polymerizable ionic liquids (ILs) 1‐methyl‐3‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)imidazolium chloride, 1‐hexyl‐3‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)imidazolium chloride and 1‐dodecyl‐3‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)imidazolium chloride were prepared and used as new surfactants for the modification of montmorillonite (MMT). Functionalized MMTs were prepared by cationic exchange between sodium MMT and each of the ILs. Polystyrene (PS)/MMT composites were subsequently prepared by in situ intercalative free radical polymerization of styrene containing dispersed organophilic MMT. Exfoliation of MMT in the PS matrix was achieved only for MMT functionalized with the 1‐dodecyl‐3‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)imidazolium‐based IL as revealed by X‐ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The exfoliated composites showed good transparency and higher decomposition temperature than virgin polymer matrix, particularly pronounced under air atmosphere (ΔT_max = 66 °C), data comparable to or even greater than those reported in the literature for exfoliated PS nanocomposites. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of polypropylene/clay nanocomposites using bisupported Ziegler‐Natta catalyst

In this article, preparation of polypropylene/clay nanocomposites (PPCNC) via in situ polymerization is investigated. MgCl₂/montmorillonite bisupported Ziegler‐Natta catalyst was used to prepare PPCNC samples. Montmorillonite (MMT) was used as an inert support and reinforcement agent. The nanostructure of the composites was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Obtained results showed that silica layers of the MMT in these PPCNC were intercalated, partially exfoliated, and uniformly dispersed in the polypropylene matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis showed good thermal stability for the prepared PPCNC. Differential scanning calorimetric was used to investigate both melting and crystallization temperatures, as well as the crystallinity of the PPCNC samples. Results of permeability analysis showed significant increase in barrier properties of PPCNC films. Effective parameters on molecular weight and flow ability of produced samples such as Al/Ti molar ratio and H₂ concentration were also investigated. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

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

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 (T_g), 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 T_g 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. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009