Preparation of Modified Titanate Nanotubes and Its Application in Polyurethane Nanocomposites

This work presents the preparation of modified titanates nanotubes with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TNT-TEOS) and their use in the synthesis of TNT-TEOS/ polyurethane nanocomposite by in situ polymerization. The filler was added in a proportion of 1% (w/w) relative to the polyol weight. The TNT-TEOS presented a specific surface area of 127m(2)/g lower than that obtained for TNT (177m(2)/g). The addition of TNT-TEOS in a polyurethane matrix promoted an increase in thermal stability of the polymer when compared to the pure PU and in crystallinity as observed by increase in melting and crystallization enthalpies. This effect can be attributed to good filler dispersion into polymer matrix and the interaction between the filler and the soft segments of the polyurethane.