Effects of biomass diatom frustule on structure and properties of polyurethane elastomer

Abstract

ABSTRACTInorganic particles can dramatically promote the mechanical and thermal properties of polymer materials. However, the study on the effects of inorganic particles on the structure and properties of polymers, as well as the structure–property relationship, is still challengeable. Biomass diatom frustule can be applied to modify polyurethane (PU) elastomer due to its unique network structure, outstanding thermal stability, and wide availability. The PU/modified diatom (MD) frustule composites were prepared by bulk polymerization using PU as substrate and MD frustule as reinforcing phase. The effects of MD frustule on the structure and properties of PU elastomers and the structure–property relationship of composites were investigated. The results reveal that the composites have a certain degree of improvement in the mechanical properties and thermal stability as compared with pristine PU elastomer. It is ascribed to a relatively strong interaction between the MD frustule and PU, so the addition of MD frustule can change the interaction between hard segments and soft segments of PU as well as microphase separation structure. This research provides an experimental basis for the potential application of biomass diatom frustule. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48452.