Morphology and Properties of Polyurethane with Surface Modified Fumed Silica Nanofillers

The influence of amorphous fumed silica nanofiller on the morphology and properties of segmented polyurethanes (PU) were investigated. In order to study the influence of interactions at the filler/matrix interface the addition of silica nanofiller modified with different silanes were investigated. Surface free energy of the silica fillers and PU matrix were determined and adhesion parameters at the PU/silica interface were calculated. Distribution of the filler in PU matrix, changes of coarse PU morphology, mechanical and thermal properties of nanocomposites due to filler addition were analyzed.