Synthesis and characterization of soy polyol-based polyurethane nanocomposites reinforced with silylated palygorskite

Soy polyol-based polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites were synthesized with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane modified palygorskite (GPTMSPal). The GPTMSPal PU nanocomposites were characterized using XRD, DMA, TGA, SEM, and universal test machine. GPTMSPal increased the glass transition temperature as well as significantly improved tensile strength and Young's modulus of the GPTMSPal PU nanocomposites. Compared to neat PU, GPTMSPal PU nanocomposite with 12 mass% GPTMSPal exhibited a 13.1 °C increase in the glass transition temperature, a 303% improvement in tensile strength, and a 518% increment in Young's modulus, respectively. TGA results showed that the thermal stability of GPTMSPal PU nanocomposites improved with increased GPTMSPal loading. Furthermore, SEM revealed a uniform dispersion of GPTMSPal in the PU matrix.