A Study on Polyurethane Hybrid Nanocomposite Foams Reinforced with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Silica Nanoparticles

Multifunctional polyurethane foams reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes and silica nanoparticles enhanced specific properties. We studied the effects of nanoparticle addition into polyurethane on mechanical properties and thermal stability by means of tensile, Charpy impact, hardness tests, and thermogravimetric analysis. Nanoparticles added to polyurethane are multiwalled carbon nanotubes, two types of silica nanoparticles, and multiwalled carbon nanotube/spherical silica as hybrid filler. Hybrid polyurethane/spherical silica/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposite with the constant overall content of 0.75 wt% showed higher tensile strength, hardness, and thermal stability than either of nanoparticles at this content, which approves a synergistic effect between multiwalled carbon nanotubes and silica nanoparticles.