Three kinds of nanoclays with different structure and morphology were modified by γ-amino­propyl­triethoxysilane (APTES) and then incorporated into Jatropha oil-based waterborne polyurethane (WPU) matrix via in situ polymerization. The effects of surface structure and morphology of nanoclay on the degree of silylation were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The results showed that the montmorillonite (MT) with abundant hydroxyl group structure and platelet-like morphology had the highest degree of silylation, while the modified halloysite nanotubes (HT) had the lowest grafting ratio. The effects of different silylated clays on the properties of WPU/clay nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), TGA, dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile testing machine. SEM images showed that all silylated clays had good compatibility with WPU and were uniformly dispersed into the polymer matrix. WPU/SMT exhibited the best thermal properties owing to its intercalated structure. Dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA), atomic force microscope (AFM), and water contact angle results demonstrated that the silylated nanoclays enhanced the degree of microphase separation, surface roughness, and hydrophobicity of WPU/clay nanocomposites.

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Flexible and binderless electrodes have become a promising candidate for the next generation of flexible power storage devices. However, developing high-performance electrode materials with high energy density and a long cycle life remains a serious challenge for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The main issue is the large volume change in electrode materials during the cycling processes, leading to rapid capacity decay for SIBs. In this study, flexible electrodes for a SnSb alloy–carbon nanofiber (SnSb@NC) membrane were successfully synthesized with the aid of hydrothermal, electrospinning and annealing processes. The as-prepared binderless SnSb@NC flexible anodes were investigated for the storage properties of SIBs at 500 °C, 600 °C and 700 °C (SnSb@NC-500, SnSb@NC-600 and SnSb@NC-700), respectively. And the flexible SnSb@NC-700 electrode displayed the preferable SIB performances, achieving 240 mAh/g after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1. In degree-dependent I-V curve measurements, the SnSb@NC-700 membrane exhibited almost the same current at different bending degrees of 0°, 45°, 90°, 120° and 175°, indicating the outstanding mechanical properties of the flexible binderless electrodes.