Synthesis and Characterization of Polyurethane with Incorporation of Kaolin

Lim, Boon Nian (2021) Synthesis and Characterization of Polyurethane with Incorporation of Kaolin. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

In this project, polyurethane incorporated with modified kaolin was synthesized by using waterborne polyurethane and modified kaolin. Starch was used to modify kaolin powder in the present of water with addition of sorbitol and glycerol in the ratio of 3:1. Gelatinization was done by mixing starch solution and kaolin solution by magnetic stirrer at higher temperature for 1 hour. After gelatinization, the modified kaolin solution was blended with waterborne polyurethane. The characterisation methods for kaolin modified PUs are Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) particle size analyser, viscosity measurement and Mini- Scanning Electron Microscope (Mini-SEM). From the results obtain, the thermal stability of polyurethane increased after incorporation of modified kaolin due to increase in decomposition temperature and char formation. The char formation increased for 8.8 % from 0.2% in pure PU to 9 % in PU7K. Besides, the second degradation temperature increased for about 12 °C. SEM images of PU7K showed uniform distribution of modified kaolin throughout the polyurethane matrix. FTIR spectrum suggested successfully incorporation of kaolin into the polyurethane matrix due to the appearance of characterisation peak of kaolin clay at 1000 cm-1 and 900 cm-1 which attributed to Si-O stretching and Al-O stretching peaks. Particle size distribution increased from 105 nm in pure PU to 194 nm in PU7K.