Effect of the microstructure of a hyperbranched polymer and nanoclay loading on the morphology and properties of novel polyurethane nanocomposites.

Novel polyurethane nanocomposites based on toluene diisocyanate, poly(propylene glycol), various hyperbranched polymers (HBPs), and layered silicate were synthesized with the aim of determining the effect of the layered silicate loading and the functionality of HBP on the structure and properties of polyurethane nanocomposites. The microstructure of the nanocomposites was investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. It was found that exfoliated morphology and good dispersion were obtained up to 8 phr clay loading for all of the nanocomposites.