The Effect of Synthesis Parameter On HKUST-1 Nanocomposites Studied by FTIR Characterisation and Mechanical Testing

In the present work, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST-1) has been synthesised at room temperature with 1:0, 1:1 and 0:1 ratio of ethanol and water and reinforced into polyurethane. In order to understand the impact of synthesis parameters on HKUST-1 nanocomposites, an investigation was conducted using FTIR characterisation and mechanical testing. The objective was to examine the potential improvement of the reinforced polymer. The mechanical testing results were shown to be significantly influenced by the presence of HKUST-1 with 1:0 ratio of ethanol and water (sample A) into polyurethane (PU). The samples underwent Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to determine the types of bonds within the polymer-MOF nanocomposites. It was observed that the reinforced nanoparticles did not undergo any chemical changes, as indicated by the recorded spectra, which can be related to the overlapping characteristics of HKUST-1 and PU. The findings indicate that the A/PU exhibited a notable impact in comparison to other materials, as evidenced by the results of the tensile test and nanoindentation study.