Abstract
This article reports new-generation 2D-MoS2 nanosheet-containing polyurethane (PU) composite materials with improved thermo-mechanical stiffness, thermal stability, and fire retardation properties. The surface of 2D-MoS2 nanosheets is modified with melamine (M-MoS2), and then PU composites with varying M-MoS2 loadings are synthesized using an in situ polymerization method. During polymerization, 3-amino-propyl-trimethoxy silane is introduced to create silicate functionality on the PU chains, which further improves the compatibility between PU and M-MoS2. Microscopy studies confirm the distribution of highly intercalated and agglomerated M-MoS2 nanosheets in the PU matrix. The PU composite containing 5 wt% M-MoS2 shows a 65% higher storage modulus (at 30 °C) than that of pure PU. The thermal stability of pure PU is significantly improved (62 °C) after composite formation. Thermogravimetric analysis in combination with FTIR spectroscopy shows that the PU/M-MoS2 composites release less toxic gases during thermal degradation compared to pure PU. Moreover, the composite containing 5 wt% M-MoS2 shows improved fire retardation properties, with 45% and 67.5% decrease in the peak heat and total heat release rates, respectively, as compared with those of pure PU. In summary, 2D-MoS2 is shown to have potential as an advanced nano-filler to obtain stiffer PU composite with improved fire retardant property for structural application.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 1800562 |
Journal | Macromolecular Materials and Engineering |
Volume | 304 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2019 |
Keywords
- composites
- fire properties
- mechanical
- polyurethane
- surface-modified MoS
- thermal
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemical Engineering
- Organic Chemistry
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry