Poly(ε‐caprolactone)/montmorillonite nanocomposites via Diels–Alder click reaction

Abstract Synthesis of nanocomposites by employing inorganic materials as nanofillers is one of the most effective ways to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of conventional polymers. To design and create new nanomaterials with unprecedented functional attributes, the fabrication techniques and chemistries employed often have utmost importance to attain a better structure–property relationship. In this respect, click chemistry‐based functional methodologies hold great promise in the fabrication of polymeric nanocomposites due to their excellent features. In this contribution, poly(ε‐caprolactone)/clay nanocomposites were prepared by Diels–Alder (DA) click reaction of maleimide end‐group containing poly(ε‐caprolactone) and furan functionalized montmorillonite (MMT). The methodology includes furan modification of MMT clay and ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone that was initiated with a masked maleimide group containing alcohol and following retro DA reaction to obtain maleimide end group functional poly(ε‐caprolactone). Subsequently, polymer nanocomposites were efficiently fabricated via DA click reaction of functional poly(ε‐caprolactone) polymer and modified clay in thermal heating conditions at 80°C. The characterization of poly(ε‐caprolactone)/clay nanocomposites was carried out by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Obtained results demonstrated that DA click reaction can be fruitfully employed in the fabrication of MMT‐based polymeric nanocomposites.