Nanodiamond tethered epoxy/polyurethane interpenetrating network nanocomposite: Physical properties and thermoresponsive shape-memory behavior

In this study, a novel blend of polyurethane and diglycidyl 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate epoxy was prepared and reinforced with various content of functional nanodiamond (0.1–5 wt%). According to morphological analysis, diglycidyl 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate/polyurethane/nanodiamond nanocomposite revealed beaded-twine network structure due to entrapment of nanodiamond aggregates into epoxy/polyurethane interpenetrating networks. Exclusive self-assembled nanodiamond-tethered interpenetrating network was due to physical inter-linking of nanodiamond with blend components. There was a 47% rise in tensile strength and an 80% increase in Young’s modulus of diglycidyl 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate/polyurethane/nanodiamond 5 nanocomposite relative to neat polymer. The original shape of diglycidyl 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate/polyurethane/nanodiamond 5 was 95% recovered using heat-induced shape-memory effect.