Semi-1 thermoplastic interpenetrating polymer networks of physically crosslinked poly(n-butyl acrylate) and polystyrene

Poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PnBA) chemically crosslinked with tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDM) and physically crosslinked PnBAs produced by neutralization of poly(n-butyl acrylate-stat-acrylic acid) with NaOH or Ca(OH)₂ were prepared as a polymer I network. Each polymer I was swollen with styrene and cured in situ into semi-IPN-TEGDM, semi-IPN-Na, or semi-IPN-Ca, respectively. Both physically crosslinked polymers maintained their shapes during the swelling procedure. Dynamic mechanical spectroscopy indicated that good mixing of the two polymers took place in the semi-IPN-Ca as well as in semi-IPN-TEGDM, but a distinct phase separation occurred in the semi-IPN-Na. These results were supported by their transparent or optical opaque appearances, respectively. Annealing at 180°C developed further phase separation in the semi-IPN-Na, but very little in the semi-IPN-Ca. Analyses by the incompatibility number (based on the modulus–temperature curve) and the calculation of individual phase compositions (from the glass transition temperature shifts) were used in estimating the extent of molecular mixing.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane/polybenzoxazine‐based interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs)

Sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs), based on polyurethane and polybenzoxazine, were synthesized. Fourier Transform infrared spectrometry was employed to monitor the formation kinetics, which indicated that only physical bonding existed in the resulting IPNs. Morphological investigations revealed a lightly phase separation behaviour in all of the IPNs studied. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

环氧/聚氨酯梯度互穿网络聚合物冲击性能研究

研究了采用梯度IPNs方法提高环氧树脂的冲击性能,设计了新型梯度组分分布数学模型描述梯度组分的分布,采用梯度因子和梯度层数控制梯度IPNs的结构变化。并采用逐层浇铸的方法制备了不同种类的环氧/聚氨酯(EP/PU)梯度互穿网络聚合物(IPNs)材料,同时对其冲击性能进行了研究。研究结果表明,梯度结构的变化对其冲击性能有所影响,梯度层数越多,梯度因子越大,梯度IPNs的冲击强度越大。在质量比相同的情况下,梯度IPNs的冲击性能要高于普通IPNs和环氧。     

Mechanical and morphological study of polyurethane/polystyrene interpenetrating polymer networks containing ionic groups

The viscoelastic and mechanical properties and the morphology of polyurethane (PUR)/ olystyrene (PS) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) containing ionic groups have been investigated. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) revealed a pronounced change in the viscoelastic properties upon the introduction of ionic groups. For the 70 : 30 and 60 : 40 PUR/PS IPN compositions, the DMTA data changed from a dominant PUR to a dominant PS loss factor peak. Higher intertransition loss factor values indicated a significant improvement of IPN component mixing with increasing ionic content. The stress at break values increased only moderately, whereas sharp rises in Young's modulus and hardness values were found at 2 wt % ionic groups. At the same time, the strain at break values decreased by half. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated a grossly phase-separated morphology for the 70 : 30 PUR/PS IPN without ionic groups. With increasing methacrylic acid (MAA) content, the PS phase domain sizes decreased. At 2 wt % of ionic groups, a TEM micrograph showed interconnected PS phase domains resembling a network structure. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:1973–1985, 1998     

Poly(n-butyl acrylate)/polystyrene interpenetrating polymer networks and related materials. III. Effect of grafting level and molecular weight in semi-2 IPNs

A series of poly(n-butyl acrylate)/polystyrene IPNs and semi-1 IPNs with deliberately controlled graft levels were synthesized via a urethane chemical coupling method. Also prepared were a series of semi-2 IPNs with the molecular weight of polymer II as the variable. The more highly grafted IPNs displayed poorly defined morphologies in which the domain structures were irregular and phase domain boundaries were characterized by fibrillar and interphase regions. A single glass transition peak was another feature of the more highly grafted IPNs. Polymer network II formed in the presence of linear polymer I results in morphologies dependent on the molecular weight of linear polymers. In the semi-2 IPNs, polymer I molecular weights below M_v = 20,000 caused polymer I to behave like a plasticizer or a diluent. The domain sizes of semi-2 IPNs agree with theoretical predictions developed by the present authors.     

Synthesis and characterization of sequential interpenetrating polymer networks of novolac resin and poly(ethyl acrylate)

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) of Novolac/poly(ethyl acrylate) have been prepared via in situ sequential technique of IPN formation. Both full and semi IPNs were characterized with respect to their mechanical properties that is, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), percentage elongation at break, modulus, and toughness. Physical properties of these were evaluated in terms of hardness, specific gravity, and crosslink density. Thermal behavior was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The morphological features were observed by an optical microscope. There was a gradual decrease in modulus and UTS, with consequent increases in elongation at break and toughness for both types of IPNs with increasing proportions of PEA. An inward shift and lowering (with respect to pure phenolic resin) of the glass transition temperatures of the IPNs with increasing proportions of PEA were observed, thus, indicating a plasticizing influence of PEA on the rigid, brittle, and hard matrix of crosslinked phenolic resin. The TGA thermograms exhibit two‐step degradation patterns. An apparent increase in thermal stability at the initial stages, particularly, at lower temperature regions, was followed by a substantial decrease in thermal stability at the higher temperature region under study. As expected, a gradual decrease in specific gravity and hardness values was observed with increase in PEA incorporation in the IPNs. A steady decrease in crosslink densities with increase in PEA incorporation was quite evident. The surface morphology as revealed by optical microscope clearly indicates two‐phase structures in all the full and semi IPNs, irrespective of acrylic content. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

On the water swelling behaviour of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) [P(N-iPAAm)], poly(methacrylic acid) [P(MAA)], their random copolymers and sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs)

Thermo- and pH-responsive stimuli hydrogels based on N-isopropylacrylamide (N-iPAAm) and methacrylic acid (MAA) have been synthesized and their swelling behaviour studied as a function of composition, pH and temperature. Copolymers varying in composition have been obtained by copolymerizing these two monomers and interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of P(MAA) and P(N-iPAAm) by the sequential method. Temperature and pH have been changed in the ranges from 25 to 40 °C and from 2 to 9, respectively. The swelling behaviour of the hydrogels depends on the nature of the polymer and the environmental conditions, namely pH and temperature. Copolymer gels under basic conditions exhibit higher degree of swelling than the homopolymer ones. The disruption of the complexes dominates the kinetic swelling of MAA enriched gels under basic conditions. The hydrogen bond formation between carboxyl and amide groups has been made clear through the dynamic swelling behaviour of copolymers under acidic conditions. IPNs reduce their ability to swell in water with increasing P(N-iPAAm) content because of the formation of hydrophobic interpolymer complexes through hydrogen bonding. Lower critical solution temperature occurs only in the enriched N-iPAAm copolymers under acidic conditions when the MAA carboxyl groups are unionized.     

Electrical properties of nanostructured interpenetrating polymer networks based on natural rubber (NR)/polystyrene (PS)

The electrical properties of nanostructured sequential interpenetrating polymer networks from natural rubber (NR) and polystyrene (PS) have been studied in the frequency range of 10²–10⁷ Hz. The permittivity, volume resistivity, dielectric loss factor, and dissipation factor were analyzed as a function of frequency, blend composition, crosslinking level, and initiating system. It was found that the volume resistivity and dissipation factor first increase, reach a maximum around 10³–10⁵ Hz, and then decrease gradually with the increase of frequency. As the NR content is increased from 30 to 70%, the dissipation factor (tan δ) increases. On increasing the extent of the PS phase crosslinking, the permittivity increases. However, at higher levels of PS crosslinking, the permittivity values decrease due to the agglomeration of PS phase arising from excessive crosslinking. The morphology studies using a scanning electron microscope confirmed the agglomeration of PS phase at high crosslinking level. The permittivity values are maximum at 4% of crosslinking content. The influence of initiating system on the dielectric properties was not very significant. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2017–2026, 2005     

Uralkyd and poly (butyl methacrylate) interpenetrating polymer networks

ABSTRACT:: Hydroxyl terminated alkyds synthesized from castor oil, glycerol, and different dibasic acids were used to develop uralkyds and their interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) with polybutyl methacrylate (PBMA). Glass transition temperature measurements gave the evidence of interpenetration. The IPNs were characterized for their physicomechanical properties and their phase morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). As the concentration of the uralkyd in IPNs increases, a gradual increase in elongation, density, and swelling with a consequent decrease in the hardness were observed for all IPNs. Swelling is relatively more prominent in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and toluene than in water. From SEM it was observed that IPNs of PBMA‐uralkyd containing phthalic anhydride (UA‐P) as an acid part showed greater compatibility than those containing dimethyl terephthalate (UA‐D). From thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) no significant change was observed in the degradation behavior of the IPNs. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 825–832, 2000     

Semi- and fully interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyurethane-polyacrylate systems. X. Polyurethane-poly(ethyl acrylate) interpenetrating polymer networks

A series of polyurethane-poly(ethyl acrylate) interpenetrating networks (IPNs) containing 40 wt% polyurethane were prepared, in which the cross-link density of the polyurethane component was varied by altering the ratio of diol/triol. Decreasing the molecular weight between crosslinks from 9500 to 1200 g/mol brought about an increase in the tensile strength accompanied by a decrease in elongation at break. The tensile properties of the IPNs are, however, poorer than those of the equivalent polyurethane homopolymers. Electron microscopy showed that the polyurethane was present as distinct phases, connected by a cellular fine structure, in the poly(ethyl acrylate) matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis as well as sonic velocity studies gave results which were consistent with this morphological picture.     

Phase distribution and separation in poly(2-acetoxyethyl methacrylate)/polystyrene latex interpenetrating polymer networks

A series of latex interpenetrating polymer networks (LIPNs) were prepared via two-stage soap-free emulsion polymerization of styrene on cross-linked poly(2-acetoxyethyl methacrylate) (PAEMA) seed latexes, using potassium persulfate as initiator. It was found that a compositional gradient was present when PAEMA seeds cross-linked either lightly or highly were used. The polystyrene (PS) phase is localized near the particle center in the former case, while it is segregated near the surface in the latter case. A uniform distribution of PS phase in LIPN was formed, if moderately cross-linked PAEMA seed was used. All the LIPNs appeared to be microphase-separated, and increase of cross-linking degree in seed latexes decreased the PS-rich domain size. The results were explained by the particle growth mechanism that involved the formation of surface-active oligomeric radicals in water phase, adsorption of the radicals onto monomer-swollen particle/water interface, and chain propagation in the interface with subsequent phase migration dominated by the competitive effects of thermodynamics and kinetics.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane/poly(vinylidene chloride) interpenetrating polymer networks

A series of polyurethane (PU)/poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were synthesized through variations in the amounts of the prepolyurethane and vinylidene chloride monomer via sequential polymerization (80/20, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60, 30/70, and 20/80 PU/PVDC). The physicomechanical and optical properties of the IPNs were investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies of the IPNs were performed to establish their thermal stability. TGA thermograms showed that the thermal degradation of the IPNs proceeded in three steps. Microcrystalline parameters, such as the crystal size and lattice disorder, of the PU/PVDC IPNs were estimated with wide‐angle X‐ray scattering. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1375–1381, 2007     

Polyisobutene-poly(methylmethacrylate) interpenetrating polymer networks: synthesis and characterization

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) combining polyisobutene (PIB) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) networks were prepared using a in situ strategy. PIB networks were formed by isocyanate—alcohol addition between the hydroxyl end groups of telechelic dihydroxy-polyisobutene and an isocyanate cross-linker, catalyzed by dibutyltindilaurate (DBTDL). PMMA networks were obtained from free-radical co-polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with ethylene glycol bismethacrylate (EGDM) in the presence of dicyclohexyl peroxydicarbonate (DCPD) as the initiator. The synthesis of each network during the IPN formation was followed by FTIR spectroscopy. The highest degree of interpenetration is obtained by forming the PIB network first. The corresponding transparent IPNs exhibit two mechanical relaxation temperatures as determined by Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), corresponding to those of PMMA and PIB enriched phases. Mechanical properties of PIB networks are tremendously improved by the presence of PMMA network in such IPN architecture.     

Effect of crosslink density and internetwork grafting on the transparency of polyurethane/polystyrene interpenetrating polymer networks

Because of their incompatibility and the different refractive indices of the homopolymer components, polyurethane/polystyrene interpenetrating polymer networks are turbid by nature. Different parameters likely to enhance their transparency are examined: the crosslink density of each network and the level of internetwork grafting. The results prove that the latter factor is the most effective, as in some cases, very clear and transparent samples are obtained. Correspondingly, preliminary investigations of the dynamic mechanical properties show an inward shift of the glass transition temperatures for such systems. It is concluded that parameters able to cause a higher degree of phase dispersion can yield transparent materials.     

聚丙烯酸乙酯/聚异冰片酯镶嵌型乳液互穿聚合物网络

用多步种子乳液聚合法合成了微交联结构的复合乳液聚丙烯酸乙酯(xPEA)／聚异冰片酯(xPIBA)。利用异冰片酯超大的侧基得到具有很高Tg的聚合物的复合物。TEM照片显示，这种乳液具有镶嵌式的结构，DSC分析表明，2种聚合物之间是互穿聚合物网络的关系。当xPEA／xPIBA的质量比为75／25，其中二者TEGDA质量分数分别为0．5％和0．15％时，塑性加工后，试样拉伸强度可达6．8MPa，扯断伸长率为412％，永久变形小于50％。试样在120℃仍然保持3.5MPa的拉伸强度。     

Synthesis and characterization of konjac glucomannan/poly(vinyl alcohol) interpenetrating polymer networks

Novel interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) coded as KP were synthesized successfully from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and konjac glucomannan (KGM) in the presence of glutaraldehyde as a crosslink agent. The transparent IPN films that were 40 μm thick were prepared by means of conventional solvent‐casting technique and dried at room temperature for 2 days. The structure and miscibility of the KP films were studied by Fourier transformed infrared spectra, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis). The results indicated that strong intermolecular interaction caused by crosslink bonding between PVA and KGM occurred in the IPN films, resulting in wonderful miscibility when the reaction time is 4 h. The tensile strength, elongation at break, and moisture uptake was much higher than that of the pure PVA film, KGM film, and uncrosslinked blend films. In other words, the structure of IPN endowed the films with excellent performance, so the new material has promising applications to food package film and agricultural film because of its biodegradability. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2775–2780, 2004     

High-resolution thermogravimetric analysis of polyurethane/poly(ethyl methacrylate) interpenetrating polymer networks

Thermal degradation of a series of polyurethane/poly(ethyl methacrylate) interpenetrating polymer networks and their constituent networks were studied by three modes of thermogravimetric analysis: the conventional method, the constant reaction rate method, and the dynamic rate technique. The best understanding of the degradation mechanism was achieved by the last method, which allows much better resolution of overlapping events. In addition, the weight losses correspond well with the results obtained from the constant reaction rate analysis, but are achieved in shorter times. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 70: 287–295, 1998     

Relaxations and chain dynamics of sequential full interpenetrating polymer networks based on natural rubber and poly(methyl methacrylate)

The relaxations of natural rubber (NR)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were studied using dynamic mechanical analysis, electron spin resonance (ESR) and solid state NMR spectroscopy. Samples with a lower concentration of PMMA in IPNs (25 wt%) showed only one relaxation, which corresponds to NR with a slight shift to higher temperature. IPNs with 35 wt% of PMMA showed very broad transitions arising from β‐ and α‐relaxations in PMMA, with the β‐relaxation slightly shifted to lower temperature. These compositions also showed a higher modulus at all temperatures. Highly phase separated IPNs showed a complete drop of modulus at 423 K. Higher crosslinking in the NR phase increases the miscibility and decreases the temperature difference between transitions, while in PMMA it increases the phase separation and does not affect the β‐relaxation of the PMMA chains. The ESR results showed that PMMA chains located in the PMMA‐rich and NR‐rich domains have different motional characteristics. The strong interaction between PMMA and NR chains was also observed by carbonyl relaxation in solid state NMR spectra. It was found that medium level crosslinking is needed for better interpenetration between phases. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Polysiloxane-poly(fluorinated acrylate) interpenetrating polymer networks: Synthesis and characterization

Combinations of fluorinated and silicone based elastomers were elaborated through the in situ synthesis of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs). The PDMS network was formed by dibutyltindilaurate catalyzed addition between the hydroxy end groups of α,ω-(3-hydroxypropyl)polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and a pluriisocyanate cross-linker. The poly(fluorinated acrylate) (polyAcRf6) network was obtained from free-radical copolymerization of a fluorinated acrylate with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in the presence of dicyclohexyl peroxydicarbonate as the initiator. IPNs with different relative weight proportions of the fluorinated vs silicone partners were characterized by DMTA and DSC. Density refractive index and contact angle measurements reveal a satisfactory interpenetration degree of PDMS and polyAcRf6 networks. In addition, these materials present an unusual variation of density values and of the surface properties as a function of the relative weight composition.