Enhanced Thermo-Mechanical Stiffness, Thermal Stability, and Fire Retardant Performance of Surface-Modified 2D MoS2 Nanosheet-Reinforced Polyurethane Composites

Kuruma Malkappa, Suprakas Sinha Ray, Neeraj Kumar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)

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 languageEnglish
Article number1800562
JournalMacromolecular Materials and Engineering
Volume304
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 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

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