Reinforcement of polyether polyurethane with dopamine-modified clay: the role of interfacial hydrogen bonding

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2012 Sep 26;4(9):4571-8. doi: 10.1021/am300947b. Epub 2012 Sep 6.

Abstract

Dopamine-modified clay (D-clay) was successfully dispersed into polyether polyurethane (PU) by solvent blending. It is found that the incorporation of D-clay into PU gives rise to significant improvements in mechanical properties, including initial modulus, tensile strength, and ultimate elongation, at a very low clay loading. The large reinforcement could be attributed to the hydrogen bonds between the hard segments of PU and stiff D-clay layers that lead to more effective interfacial stress transfer between the polymer and D-clay. Besides, the interactions between D-clay and PU are also stronger than those between Cloisite 30B organoclay and the PU chains. Consequently, at a similar clay loading, the PU/D-clay nanocomposite has much higher storage modulus than the PU/organoclay nanocomposite at elevated temperatures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't