Synthesis and properties of waterborne polyurethane modified by aminated graphene

3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS), as a kind of modifier, was grafted on the surface of graphene nanosheets by means of intercalation to obtain aminated graphene (APTMS-GO). The structure and morphology of the APTMS-GO were characterized by FTIR, XRD, Raman, TG, TEM, and XPS. A series of polyurethane composites (APTMS-GO/WPU) were prepared from APTMS-GO (0, 0.06%, 0.11%, 0.16%, 0.22%, 0.33% and 0.55%, based on the mass of the raw material to synthesize polyurethane) and polyurethane prepolymer by in-situ polymerization. The mechanical property, thermal property and hydrophobicity of the films of APTMS-GO/WPU were tested. The dispersion of APTMS-GO in APTMS-GO/WPU and the particles distribution of the above emulsion were also observed by FESEM and TEM, respectively. The results indicated that the introduction of APTMS-GO could improve the tensile property of the film of the polyurethane composites, and the tensile strength of the film increased from 10.13 to 28.96 MPa. Additionally, when 0.22% (mass fraction) APTMS-GO was added into the polyurethane, the initial thermal degradation (5% weight loss) temperature (Td5) of the composite increased to 279℃, Td5 increased by 34℃ comparing waterborne polyurethane. Moreover, water contact angle (WCA) of the composite increased from 71.3° to 91.28° with the increase of APTMS-GO content in the composite, which made an improvement of hydrophobicity of the composite. © 2017, Editorial Office of FINE CHEMICALS. All right reserved.