Polyurethane‐nanocomposite materials via <i>in situ</i> polymerization into organoclay interlayers

Abstract

Abstract New nanocomposite materials based on polyurethane intercalated into organoclay layers have been synthesized via in situ polymerization. The syntheses of polyurethane–organoclay hybrid films were carried out by swelling the organoclay [12‐aminododecanoic acid montmorillonite] into different kinds of diols followed by addition of diisocyanate then casting in a film. The homogeneous dispersion of MMT in the polymer matrix is evidenced by scanning electron microscope and x‐ray diffraction, which showed the disappearance of the peak characteristic to d 001 spacing. It was found that the presence of organoclay has improved the thermal, solvent resistance and mechanical properties. Also, the tensile strength is increased with increasing the organoclay contents to 20% by the ratio 182% related to the PU with 0% organoclay. On the contrary, the elongation has decreased with increasing the organoclay contents. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.