Biobased nanocomposites from clay modified blend of epoxidized soybean oil and cyanate ester resin

Novel bio-based nanocomposites were prepared by blending surface modified natural clay with epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and cyanate ester resin (CE). A convenient method was employed to modify the attapulgite (ATT) clay by adsorbing the poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) onto the clay surface, which was confirmed by the appearance of a new peak of infrared spectroscopy due to hydrogen bonding and chelation. Thermogravimetic analysis (TGA) showed that the amount of PEGDE adsorbed on ATT was influenced by PEGDE concentration in acetone solution. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) results showed that nanoscaled ATT dispersed well in the blend of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) before and after curing. The thermal-physical and mechanical properties were evaluated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), TGA and tensile mechanical test. The nanocomposites showed higher glass transition temperature and modulus, and the tensile strength of the nanocomposites was reinforced as compared to that of ESO/CE blends. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.