Preparation and characterization of polyurethane–gold nanocomposites prepared using encapsulated gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been widely studied due to their unique properties. Although many research groups have developed the synthesis of GNPs using various polymers as stabilizing or reducing agents, the effects of GNPs on the structures and properties of polymer matrices have been less reported. We propose a new design for the preparation of polyurethane–gold (PU–Au) nanocomposites. 11‐Mercapto‐1‐undecanol‐coated GNPs acted as the chain extenders and reacted with isocyanates to form covalent bonds between PU and GNPs. PU–Au nanocomposites were successfully synthesized, and the effects of multifunctional GNPs on the structures, morphology and properties of poly(ester urethane) were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy images suggested the GNPs can be dispersed uniformly in the PU matrix. Maltese‐cross of spherical crystals was observed in the PU–Au nanocomposites, and the size of the crystals decreased with an increase in gold content. As the gold content increased, the thermal decomposition temperature and the temperature of the maximum decomposition rate increased. The glass transition temperature, crystal melting temperature and melting enthalpy of the soft segment also increased progressively. The results showed that multifunctional GNPs concentrated hard segments and resulted in an increase of heterogeneous nucleation, phase separation and elasticity. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry