Preparation and Characterization of Biodegradable Polyurethane Nanocomposites Based on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and Poly(Butylene Adipate) Using Reactive Organoclay

Abstract

Polyurethane nanocomposites were synthesized using one-step solution polymerization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-diol, poly(butylene adipate)-diol using 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate. Nanocomposites were prepared using an in-situ polymerization method. The structure was verified using FTIR and ¹HNMR. Morphology was examined by XRD and TEM methods. Thermal properties were examined using DSC and TG. DSC showed that all samples were semicrystalline. The Cloisite 30B enhanced the melt crystallization of PHB segments while hindering those of the PBA segments. Thermal stability was improved compared to the neat PUs samples. The Coats-Redfern model was used to calculate the activation energy. Mechanical properties were improved with incorporation of organoclays.

Keywords:

• Activation energy
• Cloisite 30B
• Mechanical properties
• Nanocomposites
• Polyurethanes
• Thermal properties

Notes

^a Determined from reheating scan (Run II) after rapid cooling.

^b Determined from cooling scan (Run III) of melt samples.

^c T_m and ΔH_m are determined from heating scan (Run I) of cast films.

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