Excellent Mechanical and Transparency Properties of Cationic Waterborne Polyurethane Films Modified by Boehmite Sol

The strategies for nanosol from metal alkoxide have enabled production of ultratransparent and mechanically robust polymer nanocomposites at extremely high loading. Herein, a simple approach to fabricate high‐performance polyurethane‐based nanocomposites via unmodified boehmite nanoparticles is reported. Evaluating their physical properties, the uniform dispersion of boehmite in the matrix caused nanocomposites retains ultrahigh transparency. Hydrogen bonding and intermolecular entanglement between boehmite and polyurethane brings about the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites material enhanced, i.e., strength, stiffness, and toughness. Optimized strength, stiffness, and toughness of Boehmite/Cationic waterborne polyurethane at 40 wt% (BNC40) are up to 58.1 MPa, 1096.7 MPa, 249.5 MJ m^?3, respectively. Furthermore, the feasibility and mechanism of polymer strengthening and toughening by inorganic rigid nanoparticles is explored from the aspects of crystallinity and micromorphology.     

Effects of organically modified nanoclay particles on the mechanical properties of aliphatic polyurethane/clay nanocomposite coatings

Nano clay particles were modified organically by indole‐3‐carbaldehyde and indole‐3‐acetic acid with the purpose of preparing aliphatic polyurethane nanocomposite coatings. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the ion exchange through the silicate layer of nano clay particles. XRD result showed about 5 A° increment in the distance of silicate layers. Transmission electron microscopic images showed good dispersion of modified nanoparticles in polymeric matrix. Mechanical properties of nanocomposites were evaluated using dynamic thermal analysis and tensile techniques. Results illustrated that nanocomposite coatings have higher toughness property and lower brittleness due to the proper nanoparticles dispersion. Morphology of the fractured surface of free films was examined by preparing scanning electron microscopic images; less ruptures and more roughness in the fractured surface of nano composites in comparison to the polyurethane‐free films have been proven. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1167–1174, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical and thermal properties of bio‐based CaCO3/soybean‐based hybrid unsaturated polyester nanocomposites

Bio‐based calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO₃) were synthesized via size reduction of eggshell powder using mechanical attrition followed by high intensity ultrasonic irradiation. The transmission electron microscopic (TEM) and BET surface area measurements show that these particles are less than 10 nm in size and a surface area of ～44 m²/g. Bio‐based nanocomposites were fabricated by infusion of different weight fractions of as‐prepared CaCO₃ nanoparticles into Polylite® 31325‐00 resin system using a non‐contact Thinky® mixing method. As‐prepared bio‐nanocomposites were characterized for their thermal and mechanical properties. TEM studies showed that the particles were well dispersed over the entire volume of the matrix. Thermal analyses indicated that the bio‐nanocomposites are thermally more stable than the corresponding neat systems. Nanocomposite with 2% by weight loading of bio‐CaCO₃ nanoparticles exhibited an 18°C increase in the glass transition temperature over the neat Polylite 31325 system. Mechanical tests have been carried out for both bio‐nanocomposites and neat resin systems. The compression test results of the 2% Bio‐CaCO₃/Polylite 31325 nanocomposite showed an improvement of 14% and 27% in compressive strength and modulus respectively compared with the neat system. Details of the fabrication procedure and thermal and mechanical characterizations are presented in this article. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1442–1452, 2013     

Graphene oxide reinforced chitosan/polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer bio‐nanocomposites

Bio‐nanocomposite films based on chitosan/polyvinylpyrrolidone (CS/PVP) and graphene oxide (GO) were processed using the casting/evaporation technique. It has been found that the three components of bio‐nanocomposites can be easily mixed in controlled conditions enabling the formation of thick films with high quality, smooth surface and good flexibility. Structural and morphological characterizations showed that the GO sheets are well dispersed in the CS/PVP blend forming strong interfacial interactions that provide an enhanced load transfer between polymer chains and GO sheets thus improving their properties. It has been found that the water resistance of the CS/PVP blend is improved, and the hydrolytic degradation is limited by addition of 0.75 and 2 wt % GO. The modulus, strength, elongation and toughness of the bio‐nanocomposites are together increased. Herein, the steps to form new bio‐nanocomposite films have been described, taking the advantage of the combination of CS, PVP and GO to design the aforementioned bio‐nanocomposite films, which allow to have extraordinary properties that would have promising applications as eventual packaging materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41042.     

Synthesis and characterization of multiwall carbon nanotube/waterborne polyurethane nanocomposites

The preparation of thermoplastic nanocomposites of waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via an in situ polymerization approach is presented. The effects of the presence and content of MWCNTs on the morphology and thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. Carbon nanotubes were modified with amide groups in order to enhance their chemical affinity towards WBPU. Thermogravimetric studies show enhanced thermal stability of the nanocomposites. Scanning and transmission electronic microscopy images prove that functionalized carbon nanotubes can be effectively dispersed in WBPU matrix. Mechanical properties reveal that Young's modulus and tensile strength tend to increase when appropriate amounts of MWCNTs are loaded due to the reinforcing effect of the functionalized carbon nanotubes. Thermal properties show an increase in the glass transition temperature and storage modulus with an increase in MWCNT content. X‐ray diffraction reveals better crystallization of the WBPU in the presence of MWCNTs. The WBPU/MWCNT nanocomposite film containing 1 wt% of MWCNTs exhibits a conductivity nearly five orders of magnitude higher than that of WBPU film. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Enhanced Thermal and Mechanical Properties in Polyurethane/Au Nanocomposites

Summary: We have prepared waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) thin films containing gold nanoparticles by casting WBPU/Au solutions. The effect of the Au nanoparticle contents on the microstructure and properties of the composite films was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmittance electron microscopy (TEM), FTIR spectroscopy (FTIR) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The Au nanoparticles initially in the WBPU solution were well dispersed in the WBPU films cast and dried at 60 °C. The thermostability and mechanical properties of the polymer increased with Au contents up to 4.35 × 10^?2 wt.‐%, which was believed to be a result of induced crystallization in the presence of Au nanoparticles. The Au/WBPU nanocomposite containing with 6.5 × 10^?2 wt.‐% of Au resulted in the aggregation of Au particles, which leads to a worsening of the thermal and mechanical properties.

TEM micrograph of nanocomposites filled with 4.35 × 10^?2 wt.‐% of Au nanoparticles.     

Fabrication of regenerated cellulose nanoparticles/waterborne polyurethane nanocomposites

Regenerated cellulose nanoparticles (RCNs) are ideal materials for new biomass polymer composites industries. RCNs and composites of RCNs and water‐borne polyurethane (RCN/WPU) were prepared using a facile and environmentally friendly approach without the use of any harmful chemicals. The morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of the RCN/WPU nanocomposite were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), rheometer, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and enzymatic hydrolysis. RCNs exhibited low crystallinity upon regeneration with an NaOH‐based aqueous solution, and were identified by SEM and TEM to consist of the more thermodynamically stable cellulose form. TGA showed that the thermal stability of RCN/WPU nanocomposites was increased by the addition of RCNs. Finally, enzymatic hydrolysis using cellulase indicated that the biodegradability of RCN/WPU nanocomposites was also improved. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46633.     

Morphological and physical properties of a thermoplastic polyurethane reinforced with functionalized graphene sheet

BACKGROUND: Functionalized graphene sheet (FGS) was recently introduced as a new nano‐sized conductive filler, but little work has yet examined the possibility of using FGS as a nanofiller in the preparation of polymer nanocomposites. In particular, there are currently no published papers that evaluate polyurethane/FGS nanocomposites. The purpose of this study was to prepare a polyurethane/FGS nanocomposite and examine the morphological and physical properties of the material. RESULTS: A cast nanocomposite film was prepared from a mixture of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) solution and FGS suspended in methyl ethyl ketone. The FGS dispersed on the nanoscale throughout the TPU matrix and effectively enhanced the conductivity. A nanocomposite containing 2 parts of FGS per 100 parts of TPU had an electrical conductivity of 10^?4 S cm^?1, a 10⁷ times increase over that of pristine TPU. The dynamic mechanical properties showed that the FGS efficiently reinforced the TPU matrix, particularly in the temperature region above the soft segment melt. CONCLUSION: Our results show that FGS has a high affinity for TPU, and it could therefore be used effectively in the preparation of TPU/FGS nanocomposites without any further chemical surface treatment. This indicates that FGS is an effective and convenient new material that could be used for the modification of polyurethane. It could also be used in place of other nano‐sized conductive fillers, such as carbon nanotubes. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Simultaneous enhancement in strength and elongation of waterborne polyurethane and role of star-like network with lignin core

We have reported that a star-like network structure with lignin as center in polyurethane resulted in the simultaneous enhancement in mechanical strength and elongation. In this study, we aimed to enhance the mechanical properties of waterborne polyurethane by adding nitro-lignin (NL) to form analogical star-like network. It was found that the resultant material has optimal mechanical performances when the NL content is 3.0 wt %, i.e., its apparent mechanical strength and elongation increased by about 80% at one time. Especially, its real mechanical strength reaches 71.3 MPa at this time, which is 3.6-fold over that of neat waterborne polyurethane material. The simultaneous enhancements in strength and elongation are attributed to the forming of star-like network in the composites. The stiffness of lignin improved the mechanical strength, while the entangling and crosslinking in polyurethane component increased the elongation. However, higher NL loading and lower grafting level induced the forming of supramolecular NL aggregates, and hence greatly inhibited star-like network, resulting in lower mechanical strength and elongation. However, the Young's modulus of the material is enhanced with an increase of rigid supramolecular aggregates. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Mechanical properties and multiscale characterization of nanofiber–alumina/epoxy nanocomposites

In contrast to the bulk of published nanocomposite studies, in this study we investigated the mechanical properties of alumina/epoxy nanocomposites manufactured with nanofillers having a fiber or whisker morphology. The article describes how ultrasonic dispersion and in situ polymerization were used to incorporate these 2–4 nm diameter fibers (with aspect ratios of 25–50) into a two‐part epoxy resin (Epon 826/Epicure 9551). The use of untreated and surface‐modified nanoparticles is contrasted, and improvements in both the tensile strength and modulus were observed at low filler loadings. Microstructural characterization of the nanocomposites via multiscale digital image analysis was used to interpret the mechanical properties and was found to be useful for direct comparison with other nanocomposites. In addition, superior performance was demonstrated through comparisons with numerous nanocomposites with nanoparticle reinforcements ranging from carbon nanofibers to spherical alumina particles. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effects of carbon‐coated titanium dioxide nanoparticles as a photostabilizer on the photodegradation of rigid poly(vinyl chloride)

In this study, nanocomposites of rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (UPVC) using the synthesized carbon‐coated titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles and commercial powder of titanium dioxide (with rutile structure) were prepared by melt blending. The presence of carbon‐coated TiO₂ nanoparticles with rutile structure in UPVC matrix led to an improvement in photo stability of UPVC nanocomposites in comparison with commercial UPVC. The photocatalytic degradation behavior of nanocomposites was investigated by measuring their structural changes, surface tension, and mechanical and morphological properties before and after UV exposure for 700 h. It was found that mechanical and physical properties of UPVC nanocomposites are not considerably reduced after UV exposure in the presence of carbon‐coated TiO₂ nanoparticles even in small percentage of nanoparticles in comparison with the presence of commercial TiO₂ particles. Therefore, it can be concluded that UPVC/TiO₂ nanocomposite with low content of carbon‐coated TiO₂ nanoparticles(0.25 wt %) illustrated high stability under light exposure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40228.     

Composite effect of silica nanoparticle on the mechanical properties of cellulose‐based hydrogels derived from cottonseed hulls

Recently, cellulose‐based hydrogel nanocomposite materials have been attracted increasing attention owing to their potential applications in different areas including medical, electrical, optical, and magnetic fields. This is due to the fact that cellulose is one of the most abundant resources and possesses several unique properties required in medical fields, whereas silica nanoparticles (nSiO₂) play an important role in developing materials with high functionality. In this study, cottonseed hull (CSH) was used as a source of cellulose and nSiO₂ was used to prepare hydrogel nanocomposite films via phase inversion method without chemical crosslinking agent of cellulose. CSH was first pre‐treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for delignification and bleaching, respectively. The pre‐treated CSH exhibited whiter fiber and lower amount of lignin as compared with the untreated CSH. The properties of cellulose‐base hydrogel were found to be improved as a result of the addition of nSiO₂ at 2–6 wt % for tensile strength and up to 10 wt % for modulus and elastic modulus (G′). However, the elongation at break was decreased with the incorporation of nSiO₂. Moreover, the TEM images displayed the nano‐grape structure of nSiO₂ surrounded by cellulose molecules. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44557.     

纳米材料改性水性聚氨酯研究进展

综述了近几年纳米材料对水性聚氨酯的改性研究,包括天然高分子纳米材料改性、黏土矿石类纳米材料改性、纳米碳素材料改性、金属与金属氧化物纳米材料改性。化学改性能提高纳米材料与聚合物基质间的相容性,有利于得到稳定的复合乳液。物理共混改性能更好地将纳米材料的优异特性赋予复合材料。在水性聚氨酯中均匀分散的纳米粒子可以显著提高复合材料的热稳定性与力学性能。开发高效实用的纳米材料有机化改性技术和优化复合材料的制备工艺将是未来制备高性能水性聚氨酯纳米复合材料的发展趋势。     

Synthesis of poly(butyl acrylate)—laponite nanocomposite nanoparticles for improving the impact strength of poly(lactic acid)

This work aims at preparing and characterizing poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA)—laponite (LRD) nanocomposite nanoparticles and nanocomposite core (PBA‐LRD)‐shell poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles, on the one hand, and the morphology and properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)‐based blends containing PBA‐LRD nanocomposite nanoparticles or (PBA‐LRD)/PMMA core–shell nanoparticles as the dispersed phase, on the other hand. The PBA and (PBA‐LRD)/PMMA nanoparticles were synthesized by miniemulsion or emulsion polymerization using LRD platelets modified by 3‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS). The grafting of MPTMS onto the LRD surfaces was characterized qualitatively using FTIR and quantitatively using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The amounts of LRD in the PBA‐LRD nanocomposites were characterized by TGA. The PBA/PMMA core–shell particles were analyzed by ¹H‐NMR. Their morphology was confirmed by SEM and TEM. Mechanical properties of (PBA‐LRD)/PLA blends and (PBA‐LRD)/PMMA/PLA ones were tested and compared with those of the pure PLA, showing that core–shell particles allowed increasing impact strength of the PLA while minimizing loss in Young modulus and tensile strength. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

水性聚氨酯包封原生SiO2纳米复合材料的制备及表征

主要研究了SiO2 /水性聚氨酯 (WPU)无机 -有机纳米复合物的制备方法。TEM和动态光散射分析表明 ,SiO2 /WPU纳米复合物粒子分散于WPU胶束内部 ,粒径在 60nm左右 ,具有核 -壳型结构的纳米级微粒。体系有着良好的稳定性和透光性 ,并且其随着SiO2 含量的增加而降低。胶束良好的包覆作用 ,抑制了纳米粒子的团聚 ,是保持其良好的稳定性和较小粒径的原因     

Green nanocomposites filled with spent coffee grounds

This study evaluated physical properties of the nanocomposites reinforced by used coffee grounds. Coffee grounds were ball‐milled and filtered in an effort to secure nanoparticles for the fabrication of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/coffee nanocomposites. We analyzed the particle size distribution of coffee particles and investigated mechanical and optical properties of the prepared nanocomposites. Carbon black (CB)‐filled nanocomposites were also prepared to understand the physical behavior of the nanocomposites reinforced with coffee grounds and to explore the possibility of replacing CBs with nanosized coffee grounds used as a composite filler. It was found that the tensile strength and Young's modulus of PVA/coffee grounds nanocomposites were significantly enhanced compared with those of the PVA/CB nanocomposites. In addition, morphological observation for the nanocomposites was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42043.     

Analyzing the influence of different synthetic talcs in waterborne polyurethane nanocomposites obtainment

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) nanocomposites were produced utilizing synthetic talc in gel form in order to improve its physical–chemical properties. Synthetic talc manufactured in nano‐gel form are interesting because their interaction with water occurs through hydrogen bonding favoring fillers dispersion within the WPU matrix. WPUs are environmental friendly materials because no organic solvents are used in its production. The nanocomposites obtained with the three synthetic talc nano‐gel fillers presented a good dispersion even when higher amounts of fillers were added, as seen by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy analyses. The addition of synthetic talcs improved WPU nanocomposites mechanical properties. Storage and loss modulus results proved fillers incorporation into the WPU matrix corroborating with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results. Results demonstrated that synthetic talcs in nano‐gel form are interesting to obtain WPU nanocomposites with superior mechanical properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46107.     

A study of rigid polyurethane foams: The effect of synthesized polyols and nanoporous graphene

Rigid polyurethane foams (RPUF) with nanoporous graphene (NPG) were synthesized and their properties, including density, mechanical, morphological, and thermal‐resistant properties were studied. In the current work, polyols of the RPUF formulation were synthesized and NPG content was varied from 0.1 to 0.5 wt %. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation was used to observe the dispersion of NPG and cell size in the RPUF nanocomposites. Only 0.25 wt % of NPG improved compressive strength and modulus respectively by 10.7% and 66.5%. The TGA analysis confirmed that an increase in NPG loading slightly increase the degradation temperature of the samples. These results additionally indicated that NPG enhances the mechanical properties of the RPUF nanocomposites more effectively compared to other nanoparticles (clay, silica etc.). The superiority of NPG over other nanoparticles can be attributed to unique two‐dimensional geometrical morphology and a higher specific surface area. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45001.     

Novel polyurethane rigid foam/organically modified iron oxide nanocomposites

Magnetic polyurethane rigid foam nanocomposites were synthesized by incorporation of surface functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS). Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) and Fe₃O₄@APTS were synthesized via co‐precipitation and sol–gel methods, respectively. The main purpose of the surface modification of MNPs was the formation of hydrogen bond between amino groups of Fe₃O₄@APTS with the urethane groups to improve magnetic and thermal properties of the nanocomposites. The effect of different amounts of Fe₃O₄@APTS on the thermal and magnetic behavior of resultant nanocomposite was investigated and the optimum percentage of nanostructure in foam formulation was defined. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:877–883, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Efficient Dispersion of Magnetite Nanoparticles in the Polyurethane Matrix Through Solution Mixing and Investigation of the Nanocomposite Properties

Recent studies on inorganic/polymer nanocomposites have shown enhancements in thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties over the neat polymer without compromising density, toughness, and processibility. When nanoparticles are incorporated into the polymer matrix, significant enhancements in thermal and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite are observed. The present study is focused on the preparation and characterization of nanosize magnetite-reinforced PU composites, which induces magnetic properties to a specific thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The nanocomposites are prepared and the effects of magnetite content on thermal, mechanical, and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites are evaluated. Ultrasonication was used to disperse the nanoparticles and break up any large clumps and aggregates and followed by mechanical mixing. The magnetic nanocomposites were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Characterization of the magnetic nanocomposite by FT-IR showed a successful incorporation of magnetite nanoparticles into the polymeric matrix. TGA and magnetometry of the magnetic nanocomposites revealed the amount of magnetite that was incorporated into the polymeric phase. Finally, the corresponding magnetization behavior of the nanocomposites was studied.