Properties of bulk-polymerized thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites

The thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of bulk-polymerized thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites of reactive and non-reactive layered silicate clay were characterized as a function of the state of dispersion of particles. True exfoliated nanocomposites were produced by mixing reactive clay particles with polymer chains carrying residual isocyanate groups. On the other hand, non-reactive clay particles yielded only intercalated composites. Most significant improvement in mechanical properties were obtained when clay particles were fully exfoliated, e.g. 110% increase in tensile modulus, 170% increase in tensile strength, 110% increase in tear strength, 120% increase in fracture toughness, and 40% increase in abrasion resistance over pristine polyurethane with 5 wt% clay. In addition, the terminal dynamic rheological data showed strong dependence on the clay content, indicating substantial hindrance to chain relaxation by tethering clay particles. The peak location and the area under the peak of hydrogen-bonded carbonyl showed two distinct zones of temperature dependence, which indicate additional hydrogen bonding between polymer chains and organic modifier of reactive clays.     

Synthesis of thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites of reactive nanoclay by bulk polymerization methods

This paper reports synthesis and characterization of thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites of reactive silicate clays. Pre-polymer (method I) and chain-extended polymer molecules (method II) with residual -NCO groups participated in tethering reactions with clay during clay-polymer mixing. It was found that both clay-polymer reactions and shear stress of mixing are responsible for clay exfoliation. In method I, more clay-tethered polymer chains were produced, but clay particles did not exfoliate due to low shear stress of mixing. Method II provided an order of magnitude higher shear stress of mixing and yielded exfoliated nanocomposites. Control experiments with high shear stress of mixing and no clay-polymer reactions resulted in only intercalated composites. It was found that clay particles deterred hydrogen bonding among hard segments. The exfoliated nanocomposites exhibited optical clarity and more than 100% increase in tensile strength and tensile modulus over pristine polyurethanes.     

Preparation and characterization of polymer/layered silicate pharmaceutical nanobiomaterials using high clay load exfoliation processes

The purpose of this study was to prepare and characterize lamellar silicate nanocomposites using exfoliation processes, high clay load and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), ethylcellulose (EC) and polyquaternium-H (PQH). The clays (sodium montmorillonite, Viscogel S4™, S7™ and B8™) were pre-treated with ultrasonic energy in order to increase clay exfoliation yields. Polymeric nanocomposites were characterized by XRPD, DSC, TGA, DLS and NMR. The results revealed a new exfoliation method and new intercalated nanocomposites. High clay load was used to obtain the nanocomposites, which enables its application at an industrial scale. These nanocomposites could be broadly applied across the pharmaceutical, medical and food industries.     

Mechanical properties of intercalated cyanate ester-layered silicate nanocomposites

Cyanate ester resins are among the most important engineering thermosetting polymers and have received attention because of their outstanding physical properties such as low water absorptivity and low outgassing. However, like most thermosets their main drawback is brittleness. Nanocomposites of cyanate esters were prepared by dispersing organically modified layered silicates (OLS) into the resin. Inclusion of only 2.5% by weight of OLS led to a marked improvement in physical and thermal properties (Coefficient of thermal expansion, T_g and effective thermal stability). Most impressively, a 30% increase in both the modulus and toughness was obtained.     

Morphology evolutions of organically modified montmorillonite/polyamide 12 nanocomposites

Organically modified montmorillonites (OMMTs) by octadecylammonium chloride with two adsorption levels were dispersed in polyamide 12 (PA12) matrices with two molecular weights for different melt mixing times in order to investigate morphology evolutions and factors influencing fabrication of PA12 nanocomposites. Different adsorption levels of the modifier in the OMMTs provide different environments for diffusion of polymer chains and different attractions between MMT layers. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and gas permeability were used to characterize morphologies of the nanocomposites. Both OMMTs can be exfoliated in the PA12 matrix with higher molecular weight, but only OMMT with lower adsorption level can be exfoliated in the PA12 matrix with lower molecular weight. It was attributed to the differences in the levels of shear stress and molecular diffusion in the nanocomposites. The exfoliation of OMMT platelets results from a combination of molecular diffusion and shear. After intercalation of PA12 into interlayer of OMMT in the initial period of mixing, further dispersion of OMMTs in PA12 matrices is controlled by a slippage process of MMT layers during fabricating PA12 nanocomposites with exfoliated structure.     

Characterization of polyisoprene-clay nanocomposites prepared by solution blending

The effects of clay dispersion and the interactions between clays and polymer chains on the viscoelastic properties of polymer/clay nanocomposites are investigated using oscillatory shear rheology, X-ray diffraction (XRD), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Four different montmorillonite silicates of natural clays, plasma-treated clays, and organically modified clays (OCs) have been used in this study. For the polyisoprene (PI)/clay nanocomposites, the exfoliation of the OC dispersed in the PI matrix is confirmed with XRD and SAXS although TEM images show both exfoliated and non-exfoliated nanoclay sheets. In contrast aggregation or intercalation is obtained for the other PI/clay composites studied here. Additionally, the effective maximum volume packing fraction of OC for the exfoliated nanocomposites is determined from the overlapping of dynamic viscosity at low frequency regime, in which the effective maximum volume packing fraction is larger than the percolation threshold determined from the storage modulus of the nanocomposites.     

Polymer/layered clay nanocomposites: 2 polyurethane nanocomposites

A kind of novel polyurethane/Na⁺-montmorillonite nanocomposites has been synthesised using modified 4,4′-di-phenymethylate diisocyanate (M-MDI), modified polyether polyol (MPP) and Na⁺-montmorillonite (layered clay). Here, MPP was used as a swelling agent to treat the layered clay. Experimental results indicated that with increasing the amount of layered clay, the strength and strain-at-break increased. The storage modulus below the glass transition temperature of the soft segments in the polyurethane was increased by more than 350%. With increased loading of layered clay, the thermal conductivity decreased slightly rather than increased. This finding will provide valuable information for polyurethane industry.     

Exfoliation of organoclay nanocomposites based on polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) copolymer: Solution blending versus melt blending

Exfoliated nanocomposites based on polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (SI2VP triblock) copolymer were prepared by solution blending and melt blending. Their dispersion characteristics were investigated using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). For the study, SI2VP triblock copolymers with varying amounts of poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) block (3, 5, and 13 wt%) and different molecular weights were synthesized by sequential anionic polymerization. In the preparation of nanocomposites, four different commercial organoclays, treated with a surfactant having quaternary ammonium salt, were employed. It was found from SAXS that the microdomain structure of an SI2VP triblock copolymer having 13 wt% P2VP block (SI2VP-13) transformed from core-shell cylinders into lamellae when it was mixed with an organoclay. It was found further that the solution-blended nanocomposites based on a homogeneous SI2VP triblock copolymer having 5 wt% P2VP block (SI2VP-5) gave rise to an exfoliated morphology, irrespective of the differences in chemical structure of the surfactant residing at the surface of the organoclays, which is attributable to the presence of ion-dipole interactions between the positively charged N⁺ ion in the surfactant residing at the surface of the organoclay and the pyridine rings in the P2VP block of SI2VP-5 and SI2VP-13, respectively. Both solution- and melt-blended nanocomposites based on microphase-separated SI2VP-13 having an order-disorder transition temperature (T_ODT) of approximately 210 °C also gave rise to exfoliated morphology. However, melt-blended nanocomposite based on a high-molecular-weight SI2VP triblock copolymer having a very high T_ODT (estimated to be about 360 °C), which was much higher than the melt blending temperature employed (200 °C), gave rise to very poor dispersion of the aggregates of organoclay. It is concluded that the T_ODT of a block copolymer plays a significant role in determining the dispersion characteristics of organoclay nanocomposites prepared by melt blending.     

Morphology and properties of thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites: Effect of organoclay structure

A series of alkyl ammonium/MMT organoclays were carefully selected to explore structure-property relationships for thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites prepared by melt processing. Each organoclay was melt-blended with a medium-hardness, ester-based TPU, while a more limited number of organoclays was blended with a high-hardness, ether-based TPU. Wide-angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, particle analysis, and stress-strain behavior were used to examine the effects of organoclay structure and TPU chemical structure on morphology and mechanical properties. Specifically, the following were observed: (a) one long alkyl tail on the ammonium ion rather than two, (b) hydroxy ethyl groups on the amine rather than methyl groups, and (c) a longer alkyl tail as opposed to a shorter one leads to higher clay dispersion and stiffness for medium-hardness TPU nanocomposites. Overall, the organoclay containing hydroxy ethyl functional groups produces the best dispersion of organoclay particles and the highest matrix reinforcement, while the one containing two alkyl tails produces the poorest. The two TPU's exhibit similar trends with regard to the effect of organoclay structure. The high-hardness TPU nanocomposites showed a slightly higher number of particles and clay dispersion. The organoclay structure trends are analogous to what has been observed for nylon 6-based nanocomposites; this suggests that polar polymers like polyamides, and apparently polyurethanes, have a relatively good affinity for the polar clay surface; and in the case of polyurethanes, the high affinity of the matrix for the hydroxy ethyl functional groups in the organoclay aids clay dispersion and exfoliation.     

Morphology and properties of thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites incorporating hydrophilic layered silicates

Hydrophilic layered silicate/polyurethane nanocomposites were prepared via twin screw extrusion and solvent casting. Good dispersion and delamination was achieved regardless of processing route, illustrating that the need for optimised processing conditions diminishes when there is a strong driving force for intercalation between the polymer and organosilicate. Evidence for altered polyurethane microphase morphology in the nanocomposites was provided by DMTA and DSC. WAXD results suggested that the appearance of an additional high temperature melting endotherm in some melt-compounded nanocomposites was not due to the formation of a second crystal polymorph, but rather due to more well-ordered hard microdomains. Solvent casting was found to be the preferred processing route due to the avoidance of polyurethane and surfactant degradation associated with melt processing. While tensile strength and elongation were not improved on organosilicate addition, large increases in stiffness were observed. At a 7 wt% organosilicate loading, a 3.2-fold increase in Young's modulus was achieved by solvent casting. The nanocomposites also displayed higher hysteresis and permanent set.     

Ion-dipole interactions in the dispersion of organoclay nanocomposites based on polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) copolymer

The dispersion characteristics of organoclay nanocomposites based on polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (S2VP diblock) copolymer were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. For the investigation, S2VP diblock copolymers having three different compositions were synthesized via sequential anionic polymerization. Each S2VP diblock copolymer was used to prepare nanocomposites by solution blending with natural clay (montmorillonite, MMT) or commercial organoclays (Cloisite 30B, Cloisite 10A, Cloisite 15A, and Cloisite 25A from Southern Clay Products). All four organoclays employed were treated with a surfactant having quaternary ammonium salt with N⁺ ion. It was found, via TEM and XRD, that the nanocomposites with MMT show very poor dispersion characteristics regardless of block copolymer composition. However, the block copolymer composition was found to have a profound influence on the dispersion characteristics of the nanocomposites with an organoclay. Specifically, the nanocomposites based on S2VP-5 having 5 wt% poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) block gave rise to a very high degree of dispersion, irrespective of the chemical structure of the surfactant residing at the surface of the organoclay employed, whereas the dispersion characteristics of the nanocomposites became progressively poorer as the amount of P2VP block in an S2VP diblock copolymer increased from 5 to 25 wt% and to 56 wt%. The observed dispersion characteristics were explained by hypothesizing the presence of ion-dipole interactions between the positively charged N⁺ ions in the surfactant residing at the surface of the organoclay nanoparticles and the dipoles in the P2VP block of S2VP diblock copolymers. The validity of this hypothesis was confirmed using solid-state NMR spectroscopy, by determining the dependence of the composition of S2VP diblock copolymer on the extent of ion-dipole interactions and thus on the dispersion characteristics of the nanocomposites prepared.     

不同软链段对水性聚氨酯性能的影响

以低聚物多元醇、IPDI(异佛尔酮二异氰酸酯)、亲水扩链剂DMPA(2,2-二羟甲基丙酸)和成盐剂三乙胺为主要原料,合成一组软段成分不同的水性聚氨酯乳液。通过测定水性聚氨酯乳液的固含、黏度、结构,以及水性聚氨酯胶膜的耐水性、力学性能、T型剥离强度等,对比了不同类型软段对乳液及胶膜性能的影响。研究结果表明:由含6个碳的聚酯多元醇为软段合成的水性聚氨酯的黏度、耐水性、机械强度、T型剥离强度等数据较好。     

Controlled silylation of montmorillonite and its polyethylene nanocomposites

An alkylammonium modified montmorillonite, Cloisite 20A, was reacted with trimethylchlorosilane in order to replace the edge hydroxyl groups of the clay. Since the reaction will liberate HCl, reactions were performed both in the presence and absence of sodium hydrogencarbonate. Without sodium hydrogencarbonate, the proton, which was generated in situ, could replace a portion of the alkylammonium ions and further react with trimethylchlorosilane. The product, TMS-20H, has a smaller basal spacing than Cloisite 20A itself. If the proton was trapped by the hydrogencarbonate ions, only the edge silanol groups react with trimethylchlorosilane. The product, TMS-20A, maintained the same basal spacing as the precursor. The presence of the edge trimethylsilyl groups were confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Intercalated polyethylene nanocomposite could be fabricated by melt blending polyethylene with TMS-20A, while only microcomposites could be formed using TMS-20H. The structure of the hybrid was characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.     

Transport properties of organic vapors in nanocomposites of organophilic layered silicate and syndiotactic polypropylene

Syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) nanocomposites were obtained by melt blending synthetic fluorohectorite modified octadecyl ammmonium ions (OLS), and maleic-anhydride-grafted isotactic polypropylene (iPP-g-MA) as compatibilizer. The composition of the inorganic material was varied between 5 and 20 w/w%. Films of the composites were obtained by hot press molding the pellets. Melt-direct polymer intercalation of sPP into the OLS gave rise to nanocomposites in which the silicate layers were delaminated at low clay contents, and ordered to intercalated structures at the highest clay content. The elastic modulus was higher than for the pure polymer in a wide temperature range and increased with the inorganic content. The transport properties were measured for dichloromethane and n-pentane. The sorption was reduced compared to pure sPP. There were not significative differences between the samples having different inorganic contents. The diffusion coefficient decreased with increasing clay content. Permeability (P) showed a strong decreasing dependence on the clay content. The improvement of the barrier properties was largely caused by the reduced diffusion.     

Effect of clay modifiers on the morphology and physical properties of thermoplastic polyurethane/clay nanocomposites

Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs)/clay nanocomposites were prepared via melt processing using the ester type and the ether type TPUs and three differently modified organoclays (denoted as C30B, C25A and C15A) as well as pristine montmorillonite (PM). XRD and TEM results showed that the addition of C30B with hydroxyl group led to the nearly exfoliated structures in both TPUs. In the case of C25A and C15A clays, partially intercalated nanocomposites were obtained in both TPUs, where C25A showed better dispersion than C15A. Natural clay (PM) was not effectively dispersed in both TPUs. The tensile properties of nanocomposites with C30B were better than ones with the other clays. Higher tensile properties were obtained for ester type TPU than ether type TPU nanocomposites with all clays tested. Although the improvement in tensile properties decreased after the second extrusion of the nanocomposites, properties of the nanocomposite after first melt processing were still good enough for practical applications. Morphological changes induced by the addition of clays were analyzed using FTIR, DSC and rheological test results. Some clays were observed to cause demixing of hard and soft segments in the nanocomposites and location of clays in either soft segment or hard segment domains was also studied.     

Recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)/layered silicate nanocomposites: morphology and tensile mechanical properties

Various amounts (1, 3 and 5 wt%) of a non-modified natural montmorillonite clay (Cloisite^® Na⁺) or of an ion-exchanged clay modified with quaternary ammonium salt (Cloisite^® 25A) were dispersed in a recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) matrix (rPET) by a melt intercalation process. Microphotographs of composite fracture surfaces bring evidence that particles of Cloisite^® 25A are much better dispersed in the rPET matrix than those of Cloisite^® Na⁺. Moreover, WAXS measurements indicate that the lamellar periodicity of Cloisite^® 25A is increased in the composites, which evidences intercalation of rPET between silicate layers (lamellae) of the clay. In the case of Cloisite^® Na⁺, a very small thickening of lamellae due to mixing with rPET indicates only minute intercalation.Uniaxial tensile tests show that both clays increase the modulus of the rPET composites; more effective Cloisite^® 25A accounts for a 30% increase at loading of 5 wt%. Yield strength remains practically unaffected by the used fractions of the clays while tensile strength slightly decreases with the clay content; in parallel, strain at break dramatically drops. Tensile compliance of the composites is virtually independent of applied stress up to 26 MPa. Essential part of the compliance corresponds to the elastic time-independent component, while the viscoelastic component is low corresponding only to a few percent of the compliance even at relatively high stresses. The compliance of the composites is only slightly lower than that of the neat rPET, the reinforcing effect of Cloisite^® 25A being somewhat stronger. Both clays have beneficial effect on the dimensional stability of the composites since—in contrast to the neat rPET—the creep rate does not rise at long creep periods.     

Polymer nanocomposites from modified clays: Recent advances and challenges

Since the end of the last century, the discovery of polymer nanocomposites and their ever-expanding use in various applications has been the result of continuous developments in polymer science and nanotechnology. In that regard, progress in developments on the use of modified natural and synthetic clays for designing polymer nanocomposites is presented herein. The modified clays used in composite preparation include natural clays such as montmorrilonite, hectorite, sepiolite, laponite, saponite, rectorite, bentonite, vermiculite, biedellite, kaolinite, and chlorite, as well as synthetic clays including various layered double hydroxides, synthetic montmorrilonite, hectorite, etc. The preparation, structure and properties of polymer nanocomposites using the modified clays are discussed. Even at a low loading, these composites are endowed with remarkably enhanced mechanical, thermal, dynamic mechanical, adhesion and barrier properties, flame retardancy, etc. The properties of the nanocomposites depend significantly on the chemistry of polymer matrices, nature of clays, their modification and the preparation methods. The uniform dispersion of clays in polymer matrices is a general prerequisite for achieving improved mechanical and physical characteristics. Various theories and models used to design polymer/clay nanocomposites have also been highlighted. A synopsis of the applications of these advanced, high-performance polymer nanocomposites is presented, pointing out gaps to motivate potential research in this field.     

Polymer/silicate nanocomposites synthesized with potassium persulfate at room temperature: polymerization mechanism, characterization, and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites

Polymer/silicate nanocomposites were synthesized using potassium persulfate (KPS) in the presence of silicate and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) without exterior redox co-catalysts at a room temperature. A mechanism for the room temperature polymerization in the presence of silicate was suggested: AMPS attached on the surface of silicate layers would oxidize Fe⁺² in silicate lattice to become Fe⁺³ and the Fe⁺³ would decompose KPS to form radicals like redox co-catalysts. Poly (acrylonitrile) (PAN)/silicate nanocomposite showed an exfoliated structure, but poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/silicate nanocomposite showed an intercalated structure. Polymers recovered from the nanocomposites synthesized at a room temperature had high isotactic configurations compared to bulk polymers. The dipole–dipole interaction between monomers and silicate surface might make the lamella of monomers to form on the silicate layer surface and produced polymers with more isotactic configurations. PAN/silicate nanocomposite showed two glass transition temperatures at 113 and 151 °C. The lower temperature might be related to the molecules with low molecular weight. PMMA/silicate nanocomposite had a storage modulus of 4.47×10⁹ Pa at 40 °C.     

New polylactide/layered silicate nanocomposites. 5. Designing of materials with desired properties

Understanding the structure/property relationship in polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites is of great importance in designing materials with desired properties. In order to understand these relations, a series of polylactide (PLA)/organically modified layered silicate (OMLS) nanocomposites have been prepared using a simple melt extrusion technique. Four different types of OMLS have been used for the preparation of nanocomposites, three were modified with functionalized ammonium salts while fourth one was a phosphonium salt modified OMLS. The structure of the nanocomposites in the nanometer scale was characterized by using wide-angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic observations. Using four different types of layered silicates modified with four different types of surfactants, the effect of OMLS in nanocomposites was investigated by focusing on four major aspects: structural analysis, thermal properties and spherulite morphology, materials properties, and biodegradability. Finally, we draw conclusions about the structure/property relationship in the case of PLA/OMLS nanocomposites.     

片层硅酸盐纳米复合聚氨酯橡胶的结构及性能

将聚四氢呋喃二醇和富羟基活性蒙脱土(HMMT)进行预混插层处理,然后与甲苯二异氰酸酯(TDI)进行反应,得到层状硅酸盐复合预聚体。随后预聚体与扩链剂(DMTDA)反应制备出聚氨酯橡胶/片层硅酸盐纳米复合材料。采用材料拉伸机、X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电镜 (TEM)、差示扫描量热仪 (DSC)和热失重分析仪 (TGA) 等检测设备对聚醚型聚氨酯脲的结构与性能进行分析。结果表明：当PMMT的质量百分含量在2％时,片层硅酸盐粒子在聚氨酯基体内分散较均匀,形成了以剥离型为主、插层型为辅的复合型结构,聚醚型聚氨酯脲复合材料的拉伸强度比纯PUU提高了21%,断裂伸长率提高了12%,PUU复合材料的玻璃化转变温度(Tg)提高了5.8℃,第一失重区分解温度和最高分解温度高出纯聚氨酯17.33 ℃和13.94 ℃。无机纳米片层硅酸盐粒子的存在,聚氨酯橡胶的强度、韧性和热稳定性均得到改善。