Layered Clay–Graphene Oxide Nanohybrids for the Reinforcement and Fire-Retardant Properties of Polyurea Matrix

Nanostructures are more and more evolved through extensive research on their functionalities; thus, the aim of this study was to obtain layered clay–graphene oxide nanohybrids with application as reinforcing agents in polyurea nanocomposites with enhanced thermal–mechanical and fire-retardant properties. Montmorillonite (MMT) was combined with graphene oxide (GO) and amine functionalized graphene oxide (GOD) through a new cation exchange method; the complex nanostructures were analyzed through FTIR and XPS to assess ionic interactions between clay layers and GO sheets by C1s deconvolution and specific C sp3, respective/ly, C-O secondary peaks appearance. The thermal decomposition of nanohybrids showed a great influence of MMT layers in TGA, while the XRD patterns highlighted mutual MMT and GO sheets crystalline-structure disruption by the d (002) shift 2θ = 6.29° to lower values. Furthermore, the nanohybrids were embedded in the polyurea matrix, and the thermo-mechanical analysis gave information about the stiffness of MMT–GO nanocomposites, while GOD insertion within the MMT layers resulted in a 30 °C improvement in the Tg of hard domains, as shown in the DSC study. The micro CT analysis show good dispersion of inorganic structures within the polyurea, while the SEM fracture images revealed smooth surfaces. Cone calorimetry was used to evaluate fire-retardant properties through limiting the oxygen index, and MMT–GOD based nanocomposites showed a 35.4% value.