Preparation and Properties of Green Nanocomposites from Epoxidized Triglycerides and a Modified Clay

摘要

This study deals with preparation and properties of green nanocomposites from renewable resources. The nanocomposites were synthesized by an acid-catalyzed curing of epoxidized triglycerides in the presence of an organophilic montmorillonite (a modif ied clay). WAXD and TEM measurements clearly showed the formation of the nanocomposites with the homogeneous structure of both components, in which silicate layers of the clay were intercalated and randomly distributed in the polymer matrix. The reinforcement effect by the addition of the clay was confirmed by dynamic viscoelasticity analysis. The glass transition temperature increased with increasing the clay content. The nanocomposites showed relatively high thermal stability. Furthermore, the thermal treatment of the nanocomposite at 900℃ under air produced a porous ceramic material. The development of the present nanocomposites consisting of inexpensive renewable resources, triglyceride and clay, would be expected to contribute to global sustainability.