Synthetic silico-metallic mineral particles (SSMMP) as nanofillers: comparing the effect of different hydrothermal treatments on the PU/SSMMP nanocomposites properties

Two new synthetic silico-metallic mineral particles like TOT–TOT swelling interstratified (SSMMP) produced with distinct hydrothermal processes (talc 7 h/315 °C and talc 24 h/205 °C) were used to synthesize polyurethane nanocomposites by in situ polymerization technique. These fillers were added in a range of 0.5–5 wt% related to the mass of the pure polymer. The dispersion and interaction between the fillers and the polymeric matrix were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The X-ray analysis indicated that the synthetic SSMMP are well dispersed/or exfoliated into the polymer matrix. The high surface area of the synthetic SSMMP was significant for the increase in the crystallinity and thermal properties of the nanocomposites. In the case of Young’s modulus, for nanocomposites PU/SSMMP 24 h and the pristine PU, a similar behavior was observed. However, for the nanocomposites PU/SSMMP 7 h, an increase in the Young´s modulus values until 3 % of filler addition when compared to pure PU was noticed. The creep-recovery test showed that both SSMMP behave as a mechanical restraint of the polyurethane chains. The results evidenced the importance of the SSMMP syntheses conditions to obtain nanocomposites with desired properties.