The Phase Structure of Novel Polycarbonate-Based Polyurethane-Organoclay Nanocomposites

Abstract

Polycarbonate-based polyurethane nanocomposites were prepared using one step procedure by addition of either organically modified bentonite or montmorillonite (1 wt. %). All aliphatic components (polycarbonate diol, hexamethylene-diisocyanate and 1,4-butane diol) were used as reactants. The hard segment content of obtained thermoplastic polyurethanes was 30 wt. %. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to investigate the morphology of obtained hybrid materials. The structure of synthesized elastomers was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In order to obtain the degree of phase separation and investigate the hydrogen bonding constitution, deconvolution of –NH and –C=O IR regions was done, using Gaussian equations. It was determined that the degree of phase separation is not influenced by addition of organoclays, indicating uniform dispersion of silicate layers in the polyurethanes, which was also confirmed by SEM experiments.