Synthesis and characterization of elastomeric polyurethane/clay nanocomposites

An elastomeric polyurethane/clay (PU/clay) nanocomposite based on poly(prop ylene glycol) (PPG), glycerol propoxylate, and toluene-diisocyanate (TDI) w as synthesized by intercalative polymerization technology. The results of w ide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) studies showed that the gallery distance of the clay in the hybrid was enlarged from 1.9 to 4.5nm or more. Introduc ing clay in the PU matrix resulted in an increase in both the tensile stren gth and elongation at beak. When the clay content reached about 8%, the ten sile strength and elongation at break were two times and five times respect ively to that of the pure PU. In addition, the clay intercalative route to the nanocomposite synthesis also effected the thermal properties of the nan ocomposites. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.