Morphological, thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of Cathay poplar/organoclay composites prepared by in situ process

In order to improve the thermal stability and dynamic mechanical properties of Cathay poplar (Populus cathayana Rehd.) wood, a kind of organoclay, that is, organo-montmorillonite (OMMT), was introduced into its structure via an in situ process by sequentially impregnating poplar wood with sodium-montmorillonite (Na-MMT, in concentrations of 1.0%, 2.0%, and 4.0%) and didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC, in a concentration of 2.0%). Consequently, the wood/organoclay composites were prepared. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersed X-ray analysis (SEM-EDXA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the morphological and chemical alterations of the composites. Also the effects of clay type and concentrations on the thermal stability and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites were studied. The results showed that didecyldimethylammonium ions were intercalated into the galleries of Na-MMT through cation exchange, partially separating the silicate layers. Thereafter, the inorganic Na-MMT transformed to OMMT during the in situ synthesis process, and the latter was successfully intercalated into the wood cell wall. The thermal degradation was alleviated in the wood/clay composites, among which the wood/OMMT composites exhibited the best thermal stability. According to dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results, the wood/OMMT composites showed an enhancement in energy storage and a diminution in energy dissipation compared to other groups. The improvements in the thermal stability and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites became more significant with the increasing clay content.