Preparation, characterization and mechanical properties of epoxidized soybean oil/clay nanocomposites

New epoxidized soybean oil (ESO)/clay nanocomposites have been prepared with triethylenetetramine (TETA) as a curing agent. The dispersion of the clay layers is investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD and TEM data reveal the intercalated structure of ESO/clay nanocomposites has been developed. The thermogravimetric analysis exhibits that the ESO/clay nanocomposites are thermally stable at temperatures lower than 180 8C, with the maximum weight loss rate after 325 8C. The glass transition temperature, Tg, about 7.5 8C measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Tg about 20 8C measured by dynamic mechanical study have been obtained. The difference in the Tg between DSC and dynamic measurements may be caused by different heating rate. The nanocomposites with 5–10 wt% clay content possess storage modulus ranging from 2.0!10 to 2.70!10 Pa at 30 8C. The Young’s modulus (E) of these materials varies from 1.20 to 3.64 MPa with clay content ranging from 0 to 10 wt%. The ratio of epoxy (ESO) to hydrogen (amino group of TETA) greatly affects dynamic and tensile mechanical properties. At higher amount of TETA, the nanocomposites exhibit stronger tensile and dynamic properties. q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.