Effects of Surface Structure and Morphology of Nanoclays on the Properties of Jatropha Curcas Oil-Based Waterborne Polyurethane/Clay Nanocomposites

Three kinds of nanoclays with different structure and morphology were modified by γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and then incorporated into Jatropha oil-based waterborne polyurethane (WPU) matrix via in situ polymerization. The effects of surface structure and morphology of nanoclay on the degree of silylation were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The results showed that the montmorillonite (MT) with abundant hydroxyl group structure and platelet-like morphology had the highest degree of silylation, while the modified halloysite nanotubes (HT) had the lowest grafting ratio. The effects of different silylated clays on the properties of WPU/clay nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), TGA, dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile testing machine. SEM images showed that all silylated clays had good compatibility with WPU and were uniformly dispersed into the polymer matrix. WPU/SMT exhibited the best thermal properties owing to its intercalated structure. Dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA), atomic force microscope (AFM), and water contact angle results demonstrated that the silylated nanoclays enhanced the degree of microphase separation, surface roughness, and hydrophobicity of WPU/clay nanocomposites.