Solid State Science and Technology, Vol. 20, No 1 & 2 (2012) 115-120 ISSN 0128-7389 115 PALM OIL POLYOL/ POLYURETHANE SHAPE MEMORY NANOCOMPOSITES Ernie Suzana Ali 1,* , Syazana Ahmad Zubir 2 , Sahrim Ahmad 2 and Soo Kai Wai 2 1 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia 2 School of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia *Corresponding author: ernie@usim.edu.my ABSTRACT A series of nanoclay reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane with shape memory effect have been successfully synthesized via two-step polymerization process. The polyurethanes are composed of polycaprolactonediol, palm oil polyol, 4,4’- diphenylmethane diisocyanate and 1,4-butanediol. Nanoclay was added in order to improve the overall properties of the pristine polyurethane. Besides, the addition of palm oil polyol is believed to enhance the crosslinking process and further improve the properties. X-ray diffraction result showed that there is a decrease in crystallinity of polyurethane nanocomposites as clay is added. Good shape memory and mechanical properties of resulting polyurethane nanocomposites were obtained in this work. Keywords: clay; palm oil polyol; polyurethane; shape fixity; shape recovery INTRODUCTION Polyurethane can be found in many forms such as adhesive, foam, coating, elastomers etc. and it covers wide range of applications from household appliances to aircraft parts owing to its versatility characteristics. The most advanced application of polyurethane is in the field of intelligence or smart materials as shape memory polymer. The shape memory polyurethane has the ability of changing shape upon application of external stimulus. The shape memory effect is induced due to the existence of two separated phases of polyurethane owing to the non-homogeneity of soft and hard segment domains. Polyurethane from polyester polyol is known to be more biodegradable as compared to polyether polyol. Hence, polycaprolactonediol is consumed to form soft segment domains in this work. In addition, a renewable resource, palm oil polyol is introduced due to its easy availability and low cost. On top of that, the call for environmental preservation and awareness had urged the use of palm oil polyol as it is totally environmental friendly. It is believed that the presence of large number of surface