Based on the work devoted to study the effect of organic intercalant
in OMMT on the mechanical and thermal properties of ESO nanocomposites,
the following conclusion can be made.
The ESO nanocomposites containing OMMT (1–5 wt.%) were
successfully thermally cured in the presence of MHHPA curing
agent and EMI catalyst. The tensile strength of ESO increased with
increasing the OMMT loading up to 4 wt.%. A further increase in
OMMT loading (N4 wt.%) reduced the tensile strength of ESO nanocomposites.
The modulus, Tg and thermal stability of the ESO increased,
while the KIC, elongation at break and tan δ peak height
decreased with increasing the OMMT clay content. These findings
were attributed to the well-exfoliated OMMT clay and the co-catalytic
effect of OTA intercalant. In summary, the addition of OMMT into ESO
proved to be a good strategy to develop ESO bio-thermoset with higher
crosslink density and better performance.