Synthesis And Characterization Of Polyurethane/Haloysite Composites By In Situ Polymerization

Júlia Maia Heckler¹, Sandra Raquel Kunst², Luana Góes Soares¹*, Henry Lisboa Carneiro¹,
Cláudia Trindade Oliveira¹, Carlos Leonardo Pandolfo Carone¹

¹Feevale University (ICCT), RS 239, 2755, Bairro Vila Nova, CEP: 93352-000, Novo Hamburgo – RS, (BRAZIL)
²Projeto de Fixação de Recursos Humanos do CNPq – Nível A (RHAE) – CNPq, Sapucaia do Sul – RS, (BRAZIL)

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ABSTRACT – DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47204/EMSR.5.2.2023.082-091

The combination of polymeric matrix properties with the filler and/or clays can bring peculiar properties to the composite, such as increased thermal resistance and flame retardant effect, increased physical-mechanical properties and increased barrier properties of materials. Although clays are already widely used in this area of polymer science, Haloysite (HNT), a clay mineral from the kaolinite group, is only now gaining strength in this area of polymers. This study aimed to evaluate the thermal, morphological and mechanical properties of polyurethane with the incorporation of HNT in mass concentrations of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 10%, by in situ polymerization process. Polyurethane was formed from the reaction of Poly(-caprolactone)diol (PCL) and hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate (HDI). The materials were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis and Thermodynamic-Mechanical Analysis. Based on the results obtained, the composite that presented the best thermo-mechanical performance was the polyurethane with 3% HNT, which showed an increase in crystallinity and thermal resistance of the polymer. This indicates that Haloysite acted as a nucleation agent, facilitating crystallization and adding different properties to the composite.