High Thermally Stable Polyurethane Nanocomposite Foam Containing Polydimethyl Siloxane and Carbonaceous Nanofillers

High thermally stable polyurethane-based nanocomposite (PU) foam reinforced with different (0.25 - 1.0) wt% of carbonaceous nanofillers, i.e., graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and carbon black (CB) with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), were prepared by melt blending method. PU nanocomposite foam was tested and characterized by several techniques to check its stability and suitability for use at high temperatures. The microstructure of PU nanocomposite foam was studied by Field Emission Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The phase separation and crystallinity of samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction technique. The tensile strength and extension properties were evaluated. The tensile strength of PU-PDMS with 1.0 wt% GO was 58.9% more than that of neat PU-PDMS. The thermal properties of PU foam were investigated using a Thermogravimetric Analyser (TGA). At 650 degrees C temperature, PU foam having 1.0 wt% of the carbonaceous-based nanofillers (GO, CB and rGO) is more thermally stable than other wt.% of nanofillers and could be used for high-temperature applications.