Hyperbranched polyether core containing vegetable oil-modified polyester and its clay nanocomposites

Mesua ferrea L. seed oil-modified polyester with hyperbranched polyether core was prepared by the polycondensation technique, which involved carboxyl-terminated prepolymer of the monoglyceride of the oil, phthalic anhydride and maleic anhydride; hydroxyl of bisphenol-S and hyperbranched polyol of bisphenol-A and cyanuric chloride. The nanocomposites of this hyperbranched polyester with 0-5 wt% nanoclay were prepared by an ex situ solution technique using strong mechanical shear force and ultrasonication. The degree of dispersion of the nanoclay in the polyester matrix and the resulting morphologies of nanocomposites were evaluated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The studies revealed well-dispersed, intercalated or partially exfoliated nanocomposites. The effect of nanoclay on the mechanical, thermal and rheological behaviors of the nanocomposites was investigated. In the nanocomposite with 5 wt% nanoclay, the tensile strength was doubled, the scratch hardness value was improved by 2 kg and the thermal degradation temperature was improved by 37 degrees C when compared with the pristine polyester system. All results showed the potentiality of the prepared nanocomposites to be used as an advanced material. Polymer Journal (2011) 43, 565-576; doi:10.1038/pj.2011.19; published online 16 March 2011