Wood polymer nanocomposites from functionalized soybean oil and nanoclay

Wood polymer composite was prepared from modified epoxidized soybean oil and wood flour by compression molding technique. Thermosetting resins were synthesized by reacting epoxidized soybean oil with acrylic acid followed by maleic anhydride (MA). The resulting resin was then blended with 33 wt% of styrene to form rigid polymers. Nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies confirmed the successful modification of the resin. Three different percentages of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) modified bentonite were loaded into the composites matrix system, and their mechanical, thermal and flame-retarding properties were evaluated. The delamination of silicate layers and morphology of the clay-incorporated composites were studied by X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Composites loaded with 3 wt% of bentonite clay showed better flexural strength and tensile properties compared to composites containing 1 and 5 wt% of clay. They also exhibited an improvement in water absorption and chemical resistance properties.