Synthetic talc as catalyst and filler for waterborne polyurethane-based nanocomposite synthesis

Abstract

In this work, synthetic talc was used as catalyst and filler aiming to obtain waterborne polyurethane (WPU) nanocomposites by in situ polymerization. Filler was used both in gel and in powder forms in order to compare its effects into the WPU matrix. The use of synthetic talc as filler is interesting due to the possibility of hydrogen bond formation between WPU chains/Si-O-Si and OH groups in synthetic talc edges promoting changes in physical, mechanical and thermal properties. Moreover, WPUs are environmentally friendly polymers replacing organic solvents by water as dispersion medium reducing pollutant emission in the atmosphere. Material structure analyzed by FTIR evidenced that it is possible to synthesize WPU using synthetic talc as catalyst and proved hydrogen bonding formation between synthetic talcs and WPU matrix. Synthetic talcs were well dispersed even with higher filler content, as supported by XRD, TEM, FESEM and AFM analyses. Thermal and mechanical performance was improved with synthetic talc fillers' addition in order to obtain WPU nanocomposites. Also, T g of WPU nanocomposites was affected by fillers' addition as presented by DSC corroborating synthetic talc good dispersion as evidenced by XRD and TEM analyses. Synthetic talcs used as catalyst/ filler resulted in nanocomposites with superior thermal and mechanical properties being a new path to utilize synthetic talcs to obtain multifunctional materials.

Effect of Chlorophyll Hybrid Nanopigments from Broccoli Waste on Thermomechanical and Colour Behaviour of Polyester-Based Bionanocomposites

“…This is another clear indication of the presence of an inorganic filler in the polymer blend structure. The combined XRD and TEM results found for neat INZEA were in agreement with those recently reported by Dias et al [55], who did not observe a good dispersion and just some homogeneous distribution of the inorganic filler in polyurethane-based nanocomposites. These authors also reported that talc tactoids in these formulations were around 500 nm wide, which are similar to the results obtained in this study.…”

The influence of Ni/Mg content of synthetic Mg/Ni talc on mechanical and thermal properties of waterborne polyurethane nanocomposites

“…The reactants ratio used in synthetic talc synthesis were based on the chemical formula of natural talc (Mg 3 Si 4 O 10 (OH) 2 ). When using different metals the reactants are mixed in stoichiometric proportions based on the chemical formula: (Si 4 (Mg x Ni 1−x ) 3 O 10 (OH) 2 with 0 < x < 1, Si/Mg-Ni = 4/3) [44,45]. In order to synthesize the talc-Ni, the substitutions of magnesium by nickel were performed from 25 to 100%, as shown in Table 1.…”

Synthesis and coating properties of sulfonated calixarene‐based waterborne polyurethane hydrotalcite nanocomposite

“…Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) is a binary gel system with water as the dispersed phase, which has the advantages of no pollution, safety, reliability, excellent mechanical properties, good compatibility, good film formation, easy modification, and so forth. Its volatility is low, and pollution can be avoided when used, which is beneficial to human health 1 . WPU also retains the characteristics of polyurethane (PU) such as high strength and impact resistance.…”