Polymer/clay nanocomposites through multiple hydrogen-bonding interactions

An 2-ureido-4[1H]pyrimidinone (UPy) motif with self-association capability (through quadruple hydrogen bonds) was successfully anchored onto montmorillonite clay layers. Polymer/clay nanocomposites were prepared by specific hydrogen bonding interactions between surface functionalized silica nanoclays and UPy-bonded supramolecular poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(É-caprolactone). The mixed morphologies including intercalated layers with a non-uniform separation and exfoliated single layers isolated from any stack were determined by combined X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic measurements. Thermal analyses showed that all nanocomposites had higher decomposition temperatures and thermal stabilities compared with neat polymer. The differential scanning calorimetric data implied that the crystallinity of polymers did not show essential changes upon introduction of organomodified UPy clays.