Soy polyol-based polyurethane modified by raw and silylated palygorskite

• Silylated palygorskite (PA) were used to reinforce the soy polyol-based PU.
• The morphology, mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites was studied.
• A significant PA reinforcement effect on PU was found.
• This strategy has the potential for the fabrication of advanced PU-based materials.

In this study, we investigated the structure and loading effects of raw and silylated palygorskite (R-PA and S-PA) on the properties of soy polyol-derived polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscope demonstrated that relatively homogeneous dispersion of both the R-PA and S-PA in the PU matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis confirmed that both the PA could significantly improve the storage modulus and the glass transition temperature of PU nanocomposites, along with an intensified effect with the increase of PA loading. Tensile tests showed that both the PA has a prominent reinforcement effect on PU. Besides, we found that S-PA could slightly improve the thermal stability of PU nanocomposites, different from the case of the R-PA.