Synthesis of Shape Memory Polyurethane/Nanoclay Composites: Chemical Structure and Interactions between Polymer and Nanoclay Particles

Abstract

Although there are many works published on shape memory polyurethanes, but no report is found on PCL-based polyurethane composite using PCL with molecular weight of 2000 g/mol and nanoclay particles via in-situ polymerization. In this work, we try to approach some problems concerning the chemical structure, dispersion of a noparticles in the matrix and interaction between nanoparticles and polymer in shape memory of PCL (Mn= 2000 g/mol)-based polyurethane/nanoclay composites. While PCL (Mn= 2000 g/mol) polyurethane constituted the soft segments, MDI/BD formed the hard segments. The weight ratio of soft to hard segments was found to be 65/35. Composites were synthesized in presence 1 and 3 wt% of nanoclay (Cloisite®30B) via in-situ polymerization by a two-step method. Effect of nano particles on their interactions with polyurethane chains, crystallinity, mechanical properties and shape memory have been investigated using

Keywords

• polyurethane composite
• nanoclay
• two-step in-situ polymerization
• shape memory properties
• chemical structure