The Effect of Molecular Weight of Polyethylene Glycol and Nanoclay Percentages on the Rheological Behavior of Dispersing Anionic Polyurethane Nanocomposites

Abstract

Anionic waterborne polyurethane as a new polymer dispersion was synthesized using relatively hydrophilic polyols. Dispersing anionic polyurethane nanocomposites were prepared to investigate the effect of changing polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecular weight and percentage of clay nanoparticles added to the hydrophilicity of resin, polymer chain flexibility, particle sizes, particle dispersion, interactions of nanoclay and polymer, thermal stability, and changes in rheological behaviors. The composite was prepared from isophoren diisocyanate (IPDI), 2,2-bis (hydroxymethyl) propionic acid (DMPA), PEG with various molecular weights (Mn = 200, 400, 600, and 1000 g/mol), dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL), and triethylamine (TEA) using acetone method. Then, dispersing anionic polyurethane nanocomposites were obtained by dispersing different percentages (by weight) of clay nanoparticles in polymeric matrices. The nanocomposites were carefully dispersed in aqueous media in periods of time. In order to study the reactions progress and structural changes, different analytical techniques like FT-IR, 1H-NMR, particle size measurements, contact angles, thermal, and rheological stabilities, were used.