Influence of organic modification on the structure and properties of polyurethane/sepiolite nanocomposites

▶ KH550 was the best among the three organic modifiers by comparing tensile properties, water resistance and swelling rate. ▶ FTIR revealed the strong interaction between KH550-Sp and the PU matrix. ▶ TEM revealed the compatibility of KH550-Sp and PU was improved. ▶ SEM confirmed the good dispersion of KH550-Sp in PU matrix. The polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites were prepared using organomodified sepiolite (organo-Sp) by in situ polymerization method. The clay was modified with three different organic modifiers such as γ-aminopropyltriethoxylsilane (KH550), hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and lauric acid (LA). The morphology and the dispersion of organo-Sp in polyurethane were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The influence of organo-Sp on the tensile properties, water resistance and swelling rate of polyurethane composites was studied. The results showed the properties and structure of polyurethane nanocomposites were related to the kind of organic modifier.