Preparation of Waterborne Polyurethane‐OMt Nanocomposites and Effect of Clay on UV Degradation

Abstract

SummaryWaterborne polyurethane polymers (WPU) have gained importance for some decades because of their environmentally friendly characteristics due to low or zero content of solvents. Polyurethane properties can be modified by changing segmental structure or incorporating inorganic fillers into the polymer matrix. Montmorillonite (Mt) clay which is a member of smectite family is widely used in polymer clay composites as a filler. In this work, linear WPU nanocomposites were synthesized using different polyols as soft segment via acetone process which has many advantages over the prepolymer mixing process in terms of reliable reproducibility and convenience for obtaining linear polyurethanes. Sodium modified montmorillonite (NaMt) clay was used without any chemical pretreatment. WPU nanocomposites were prepared via in‐situ polymerization method by modification of sodium modified montmorillonite (NaMt) clay in polyol and following polyurethane reaction. Finally, spectroscopic, thermal, morphological characterizations and UV weathering tests carried out. As a result, different thermal and mechanical properties were observed due to different soft and hard segment content. Furthermore, increasing clay content caused lowering of resistance against UV degradation.