Block architecture influence on the structure and mechanical performance of drawn polyurethane elastomers

Some natural biopolymers such as spider silk exhibit superb mechanical properties, characterised by their great toughness. Synthetic polyurethane (PU) copolymers also endow great toughness but lack silk's stiffness and strength. The aim of this work was to elucidate the role of segment block architectural features that influence PU stiffness and strength after cold drawing. For this purpose PUs with varied soft segment character, crystalline versus rubbery, as well as with different hard segment chemistries, 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate/1,4‐butanediol versus 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate/1,4‐butanediol, were synthesised by a two‐step polymerisation method. We found that the architecture of both block segments has a dramatic influence on drawn PU mechanical performance, in which PUs with crystallisable soft segments and crystalline hard segments are shown to have a greater impact on developing stiffer and stronger materials. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation of polyurethane ionomers by reactive extrusion and dispersions containing sulfonate groups and polyethylene glycol segments

A synthesis method of polyurethane ionomers (PUIs) and anionic/nonionic polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) is introduced in this article. PUIs were synthesized in twin-screw extruder without organic solvent. PUIs were then dissolved in acetone and dispersed in water. The PUDs were obtained after distilling off acetone and the solid content of PUDs was about 55% and had excellent stability. PUDs obtained were mainly used as adhesives. PUIs were synthesized from poly(1,4-butylene adipate glycol) (PBA) as soft segments, 1,4-butanediol (BDO) and diphenylmethane diisocyanate-50 (MDI-50) as hard segments, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (MPEG) and polyether diol-containing sulfonate (SPPG) as hydrophilic monomers, and dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) as catalyst. The particle size, viscosity, and adhesive properties of the PUDs were measured and the results indicated that PUDs obtained have excellent stability and adhesive properties, such as the maximum initial peel strength and T-peel strength were 2.38 and 11.82 N mm⁻¹, respectively. The thermal properties, tensile stress–strain, and water resistance of the PUIs films were also characterized. The test results showed that films have good thermal properties and water resistance properties, and some typical characteristics of crystalline polymers were revealed in the tensile stress–strain curves. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47719.     

Role of the interactions between carbonate groups on the phase separation and properties of waterborne polyurethane dispersions prepared with copolymers of polycarbonate diol

Different aliphatic waterborne polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) were synthesized by using different polyols (M_w: 1000 Da) of randomly copolymerized polycarbonate diols with hexamethylene and pentamethylene (C6–C5), tetramethylene (C6–C4) and trimethylene (C6–C3); these copolymers differed in the length of the methylene groups and the structural regularity due to the combination of even and odd units. Brookfield viscosity, extent of particle crowding and broadening of the particle size distribution of the PUD synthesized with C6–C4 polyol followed a different trend than for the other because of the even number of methylene units in the polyol. The PUDs showed monomodal particle size distribution which was narrower in C6–C4 (i.e. the dispersion with higher structural regularity) and the mean particle size decreased by decreasing the length of the methylene unit of the copolymer.The properties of the polyurethanes were affected by the phase separation between the hard and soft segments, the more regular packing of even methylene units in the copolymer and the crystallized polar segments due to carbonate groups. Thus, the glass transition values of the soft segments in the polyurethanes were similar because of the more regular packing of even methylene units in C6–C4 polyol and the crystallized segments produced by interactions of carbonate groups. PU(C6–C5) and PU(C6–C4) showed similar degree of phase separation, the higher degree of phase separation corresponded to PU(C6–C3). Furthermore, the crystallinity of the polyurethanes increased with decreasing the number of methylene units in the polyol, but PU(C6–C4) was the most crystalline because of the more regularly packed even methylene groups in the polyol chain. The thermal stability of the polyurethanes increased from PU(C6–C5) to PU(C6–C3) because the more net interactions between the carbonate groups in the soft segments. The lower was the number of methylene groups between carbonate units in the copolymer, the higher was the elastic modulus of the polyurethanes. The tensile strength and elongation-at-break values of the polyurethanes increased by increasing the number of methylene groups between carbonate units in the copolymer. Finally, the peel strength was maximal in the joint made with PU(C6–C5) and the shear strength was the highest in the joint made with PU(C6–C3), in agreement with the variation of the viscoelastic and mechanical properties of the polyurethanes.     

Synthesis of polyurethane–imide (PU–imide) copolymers with different dianhydrides and their properties

This study reports the synthesis of polyurethane–imide (PU–imide) copolymers using 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) polytetramethylene glycols (PTMGs) and different aromatic dianhydrides. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicate that PU–imide copolymers had two phase structures containing four transition temperatures (T_gs, T_ms, T_gh and T_mh). However, only PU–imide copolymers were formed by soft PTMG(2000) segments possessing a T_ms (melting point of soft segment). When different aromatic dianhydrides were introduced into the backbone chain of the polyurethane, although the T_gs (glass transition temperature of the soft segment) of some of PU–imide copolymers did not change, the copolymers with long soft segments had low T_gs values. The T_gh (glass transition temperature of hard segment) values of PU–imide copolymers were higher than that of polyurethane (PU). In addition, the high hard segment content of PU–imide copolymer series also had an obvious T_mh (melting point of hard segment). According to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTGA), the PU–imide copolymers had at least two stages of degradation. Although the T_di (initial temperature of degradation) depended on the hard segment content and the composition of hard segment, the different soft segment lengths did not obviously influence the T_di. However, PU–imide copolymers with a longer soft segment had a higher thermal stability in the degradation temperature range of middle weight loss (about T_d 5%–50%). However, beyond T_d 50% (50% weight loss at temperature of degradation), the temperature of degradation of PU–imide copolymers increased with increasing hard segment content. Mechanical properties revealed that the modulus and tensile strength of PU–imide copolymers surpassed those of PU. Wide angle X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrated that PU–imide copolymers are crystallizable. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of high‐solid content sulfonate‐type polyurethane dispersion by pellet process

A novel method to prepare polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) is introduced in this article. Water dispersible polyurethane ionomer pellets were synthesized without solvent; these pellets were then dissolved in acetone and dispersed in water. Then PUDs were obtained after acetone was distilled off. Polyurethane ionomers were synthesized from polyether diol containing sulfonate as hydrophilic monomer and poly(1,4‐butylene adipate glycol) with an average molecular weight of 3000 as soft segments, isophorone diisocyanate and 1,4‐butanediol as hard segments, and dibutyltin dilaurate as catalyst. The properties of PUDs were measured by Laser particle size analyzer, Brookfield viscosity, and TEM analysis. High‐solid content and low viscosity PUDs were obtained. Meanwhile, PUDs exhibited excellent stability and polydispersity according to the above analysis. Tensile tests and dynamic mechanical analysis showed good mechanical and thermodynamic properties of PUD films. Some typical characteristics of crystalline polymers were revealed in the tensile stress–strain curves of PUD films. Peel strength test (PVC/PVC) yielded a maximum initial peel strength value of 6 N/mm and T‐peel strength value of 10 N/mm. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Diffusion and sorption of benzene vapor through polybutadiene‐, polybutadiene/styrene‐, and polybutadiene/acrylonitrile‐based polyurethanes

A series of polyurethane (PU) films made from toluene diisocyanate (TDI), 1,4‐butanediol (BDO), and hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene/styrene (HTBS), or hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene/acrylonitrile (HTBN) was synthesized by solution polymerization. The absorption of benzene vapor was found mainly in the soft phase. The equilibrium adsorption (M_∞) was reduced with increasing hard segment content for all the PUs. The values of M_∞ were in the sequence of HTBN‐PUs > HTBS‐PUs > HTPB‐PUs, which could be explained by the different interaction parameters between soft segments and benzene. The HTBN‐PU film showed the lowest degree of phase segregation and had more hard segments intermixed in the soft phase, restricting the movement of soft segments, and therefore resulted to non‐Fickian behavior, while the HTPB‐PU is antithetical. FTIR and atomic force microscopy were utilized to identify the hydrogen bonding behavior and morphology change of the PU films before and after the absorption of benzene vapor. The tensile strength of the HTBN‐PUs showed a greater decrease than that of HTBS‐PUs and HTPB‐PUs after absorbing benzene vapor. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2984–2991, 2004     

Preparation and characterization of thermoplastic water‐borne polycarbonate‐based polyurethane dispersions and cast films

Stable water‐borne polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) were prepared from bifunctional aliphatic polycarbonate‐based macrodiol, 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (DMPA), 1,6‐diisocyanatohexane, 1,4‐butanediol (BD), and triethylamine. Water‐borne dispersion particles are thus solely formed from self‐assembled linear PU chains. Both PUDs and PUD‐based films were characterized with regards to the concentration of DMPA (ionic species content) and BD (hard‐segment content). Average particle size of PUDs decreased and their long‐term stability increased with increasing DMPA and decreasing BD concentration. Functional properties of cast films made from PUDs are substantially influenced by the character of the original colloidal particle dispersions. The swelling behavior of the films, their surface morphology, and mechanical properties are more influenced by DMPA than BD contents. At DMPA concentrations higher than 0.2 mmol g^?1 of the solid mass of polyurethane, distinct self‐organization of individual nanoparticles into fibril‐like structures was detected by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. PU films made from PUD containing high BD as well as high DMPA concentrations have the best utility properties namely sufficient tensile properties and a very low swelling ability. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42672.     

Effects of reaction and cure temperatures on morphology and properties of poly(ester‐urethane)

Poly(ester‐urethane) was synthesized from poly(ethylene glycol adipate) (PEG) and 2,4‐toluene diisocyanate (TDI) to study the effects of reaction temperature and cure temperature on the crystallization behavior, morphology, and mechanical properties of the semicrystalline polyurethane (PU). PEG as soft segment was first reacted with TDI as hard segment at 90, 100, and 110°C, respectively, to obtain three kinds of PU prepolymers, coded as PEPU‐90, PEPU‐100, and PEPU‐110. Then the PU prepolymers were crosslinked by 1,1,1‐tris (hydroxylmethyl) propane (TMP) and were cured at 18, 25, 40, 60, and 80°C. Their structure and properties were characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, and tensile testing. With an increase of the reaction temperature from 90 to 100°C, the crystallinity degree of soft segment decreased, but interaction between soft and hard segments enhanced, leading to the increase of the glass transition temperature (T_g) of soft domain and tensile strength. When the cure temperature was above 60°C, miscibility between soft and hard segments of the PEPU films was improved, resulting in relatively low crystallinity and elongation at break, but high soft segment T_g and tensile strength. On the whole, all of the PEPU‐90, PEPU‐100, and PEPU‐110 films cured above 60°C possessed higher tensile strength and elongation at break than that of the films cured at other temperatures. The results revealed that the reaction temperature and cure temperature play an important role in the improvement of the crosslinking structure and mechanical properties of the semicrystalline PU. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 708–714, 2006     

Mechanism of degradation and crosslinking of polyurethane when irradiated by gamma-rays

We conducted a study to clarify the mechanism of crosslinking and degradation of thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) when irradiated with gamma-rays. Changes in molecular weights as a result of gamma-ray irradiation, the UV absorption, the amount of PUs with amino groups, and the elution of oligomers to an organic solvent were determined to estimate characteristic changes in PU caused by irradiation. The amount of PUs with primary amino groups as a degradated PU products at p,p′-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate–1,4-butanediol (MDI–BU) hard segments increased linearly with increasing irradiation level. The amount of this products by gamma-ray irradiation was approximately 10–20% of the calculated amount, indicating that predominant degradation occurred at polytetramethyleneglycol (PTMG) soft segments (about 80–90% of the degradation). Characteristic differences were seen in crosslinking between non-chain-extended thermoplastic PUs based on the molecular weights of PTMG, (M_w of PTMG = 640–2800). The crosslinking ratio is linearly proportional to the molecular weights of PTMG, indicating that crosslinking at PTMG soft segments was major (the ratio of crosslinking at PTMG was more than 90%). Methanol extract of PU indicated elution of PU oligomers ranging from 13 to 1 as a polymerization degree.     

Influence of the solids content on the properties of waterborne polyurethane dispersions obtained with polycarbonate of hexanediol

Waterborne polyurethane adhesives are an interesting alternative to the current solvent-borne polyurethane adhesives used in the industry. Different aliphatic waterborne polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) with different solids content were synthesised by reacting isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) with a polycarbonate derived from hexanediol via the acetone method. The PUDs were characterised by Brookfield viscosity, pH, particle size, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and solids content measurement. The dry polyurethane films were characterised by ATR-IR spectroscopy, plate–plate rheology, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetry (TGA). Their adhesion was evaluated from T-peel tests of flexible PVC/waterborne polyurethane dispersion/flexible PVC joints and single lap-shear tests of aluminium/waterborne polyurethane dispersion/aluminium joints.The PUDs showed bimodal particle size distribution. The mean particle size of the PUDs decreased by increasing their solids content but the particle size distribution of the PUDs increased by decreasing their solids content. As the solids content increased the Brookfield viscosity of the PUDs increased due to lower mean particle size where particle crowding was favoured, the PUD having 44 wt% solids content was an exception (higher particle size but lower polydispersity). On the other hand, the increase in the solids content increased the hard segments content and the degree of phase separation of the polyurethanes. The greater the solids content of the polyurethanes, the lower their glass transition temperatures values and the lower the elastic moduli. Adhesive strength under peel stresses were not affected by the solids content in the polyurethanes but the single lap-shear strength values decreased by increasing the solid contents in the polyurethanes due to lower hard segments content.     

Evaluation and mechanism of anionic waterborne polyurethane dispersion for chemical sand stabilisation

Chemical sand stabilisation (CSS) shows potential to collaborate with vegetation for desert restoration. Among the materials used in CSS, polyurethane (PU) is one of excellent properties but restricted by the limited forms used for CSS. This paper presents an anionic waterborne PU dispersion (PUD), a dispersion form of PU, for CSS. Its composition, particle size distribution (PSD) and zeta potential were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and laser particle size analyser. Results of its performance in CSS showed the stabilisation distinctly improved sand in anti-wind erosion and water-retaining properties by forming a consolidated crust on sand surface, with no harm to seed germination. The changes of stabilised sand showed strong dependence on the material concentration, which was discussed based on the visual inspection, SEM and EDS results.     

Synthesis and properties of polyoxyethylated amine polyurethane ionomers

Based on polyoxyethylated amines (M_n = 600, 1,200) derived from n-butyl amine and ethylene oxide, 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and different chain extenders, two series of polyether–polyurethane (PU) ionomers with reasonable mechanical properties were synthesized. Chain-extended by 1,4-butanediol and subsequently reacted with 1,3-propane sultone, PU elastomers can be conveniently converted to PU zwitterionomers whose ions are located in polyether soft segments. Chain-extended by N-methyl diethanolamine or sodium-S-1,2-dihydroxypropyl sulfonate along with ionization by 1,3-propane sultone, PU ionomers with ions incorporated into both hard and soft domains can be prepared. Physical properties were studied by means of Fourier transform infrared spectra, differential scanning calorimetry, and uniaxial stress–strain testing. Complex impedance spectra were also measured to estimate solid-state ionic conductivity. The results show that ionization of both hard and soft segments induced a much decreased glass transition temperature and brought higher ionic conductivity at room temperature. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:2179–2185, 1998     

The effects of soft segments on the physical properties and water vapor permeability of H12MDI-PU cast films

This research was based on the study of the effects of H₁₂MDI-1, 4BD PU soft segments on the physical properties and water vapor permeability of films cast from solvent evaporation or wet coagulation method. The soft segments studied included polyether, polyester, and polycaprolactone polydiols. The NCO/OH mol ratios of prepolymer were prepared by 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8, respectively. The chain lengths of the soft segments used were: PTMG of molecular weights 650, 1000, 2000, and 2900; PBA of 1000, 2000, and 3000. The results revealed that the polyether-based PU cast films had lower T_gs than the polyester-based PU films. In general, the polyether-based PU films shows the characters of higher water vapor permeability, lower breaking elongation, and higher breaking strength. Films with higher molecular weight soft segments in the polymer chains exhibited lower T_gs, lower breaking strength, higher breaking elongation, and higher water vapor permeability. As the hard segment contents were increased, the films exhibited higher T_gs. Films with higher hard-segment ratios had the highest breaking strength but the water vapor permeability, on the other hand, became lower. Films cast from the solvent evaporation method had higher breaking strength and higher breaking elongation but lower water vapor permeability than films cast from the wet coagulation method. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effects on the structure and properties of membranes formed by blending polydimethylsiloxane polyurethane into different soft‐segment waterborne polyurethanes

Polydimethylsiloxane polyurethane (PDMS‐PU), which was synthesized from PDMS as the soft segment, was blended into a variety of ester‐ or ether‐based soft‐segment waterborne polyurethanes with different concentrations to investigate the crystallization, thermal, and physical properties of the membrane formations. According to X‐ray analysis, the ether‐based PUs, synthesized from soft segments of poly(propylene glycol) (PPG1000) or poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG2000), were found to have maximum crystallinity at a 5% blending ratio of PDMS‐PU, but the ester‐based PU, synthesized from soft segments of polycaprolactone (PCL1250), had decreased crystallinity at a 5% blending ratio. Differential scanning calorimetric analysis revealed that the T_g,s values of PUs were highest when the blending ratio of PDMS‐PU was 5%–10%, except for PU from PCL1250. Moreover, ether‐based PUs showed maximum T_m,h values, but the T_m,h of the ester‐based PU was greatly reduced when PU with PCL1250 was blended with PDMS‐PU. In addition, the PU from PEG2000 had the highest melting entropy. Mechanical property analysis showed that the stress of ether‐based PUs would be increased when PUs were blended with a small amount of PDMS‐PU and that the stress of PU from poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG1000) increased to its greatest value (20–30 MPa). On the other hand, the ester‐based PU, from PCL1250 blended with PDMS‐PU, would have reduced stress. On the whole, the stress and strain of PU from PEG1000 had excellent balance. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 210–221, 2006     

Effects of hard-segment compositions on properties of polyurethane–nitrolignin films

Segmented polyurethane (PU) films from castor-oil-based PU prepolymer with different hard-segment compositions and nitrolignin (NL) were synthesized. Diisocyanates (DIs), such as 2,4-tolylene DI (TDI) and 4,4′-diphenylmethane DI (MDI), 1,4-butanediol (BDO) as a chain extender, and trimethanol propane (TMP) as a crosslinker were used to obtain PU films containing NL (UL) which were named as UL–TB for TDI and BDO, UL–TT for TDI and TMP, UL–MB for MDI and BDO, and UL–MT for MDI and TMP, respectively. The mechanical properties and thermal stability of the films were characterized by a tensile test and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The MDI-based UL films exhibited a higher tensile strength (σ_b) and thermal stability than TDI-based UL. However, the recoverability of the TDI-based UL films was better than that of others. The UL films with TMP (UL–TT and UL–MT) had higher σ_b and lower breaking elongation (ϵ_b) than the UL films with BDO (UL–TB and UL–MB), caused by enhancement in the crosslinking network of hard segments and microphase separation between soft and hard segments. The values of σ_b and ϵ_b of the UL films that contained NL were much higher than those of the PU films, which indicates that the introduction of NL increased the interaction between hard segments by crosslinking. The hydrogen bonding in the UL films was studied by infrared spectroscopy, which indicated that MDI favored the formation of hydrogen bonds, especially in the ordered domain. Differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction indicated that the UL films were compatible as a whole, but microphase separation existed between soft and hard segments and significantly affected the mechanical properties. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 3251–3259, 2001     

Synthesis and characterization of chlorine‐containing flame‐retardant polyurethane nanocomposites via in situ polymerization

We have developed flame‐retardant polyurethanes (FRPUs) and polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites via in situ polymerization. Three series of thermoplastic elastomeric PUs were synthesized to investigate the effect of incorporating 3‐chloro‐1,2‐propanediol (CPD) and nanoclay on mechanical, thermal properties, and also resistance to burning. PU soft segments were based on poly(propylene glycol). Hard segments were based on either CPD or 1,4‐buthane diol (BDO) in combination with methyl phenyl di‐isocyanate named PU or FRPU, respectively. In the third series, CPD was used as chain extender also nanoclay (1% wt) and incorporated and named as flame‐retardant polyurethane nanocomposites (FRPUN). Mechanical properties and LOI of PUs and nanocomposites have been evaluated. Results showed that increasing the hard segment (chlorine content) leads to the increase in flame retardancy and burning time. Addition of nanoclay to CPD‐containing PUs leads to obtain self‐extinguish PUs using lower CPD contents, higher Young's modulus, and strength without any noticeable decrease in elongation at break. Investigation of the TGA results showed that copresence of nanoclay and chlorine structure in the PU backbone can change thermal degradation pattern and improve nanocomposite thermal stability. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies confirmed that exfoliation and intercalation have been well done. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Preparation and physical properties of polyurethane modified with poly(4,4′-diphenylsulfone terephthalamide)

Three conventional polyurethane (PU) elastomers were blended physically with various ratios of high molecular weight of poly(4,4′-diphenylsulfone terephthalamide) (PSA) to form 12 PU/PSA polyblends in order to modify their physical properties. Also three new polyurethanes were synthesized with a low-molecular-weight PSA prepolymer as a hydrogen donor for chain extending. From dynamic properties, it showed that both the blends and the new polyurethanes (or polyurethane-ureas) exhibited a glass transition temperature (T_g) below 0°C and had a higher modulus E′ than those of the conventional PU. Based on the analysis of X-ray diffraction of the conventional and the new PU, it was shown that the degree of stress-induced crystallization was dependent on the segmental composition of the soft and hard segments and also the degree of its stretching. On the morphological observation, it was revealed that both the blends and the new polyurethanes were in a dispersed phase structure, although new PU exhibited a better compatible state. For tensile properties, it was found that both tensile strength and elongation of the new polyurethanes were better than those of the blends and conventional PU. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Thermal and structural characterization of quasi‐nanometer zirconium carbon/polyurethane composites prepared under roller pressure

In this study, we use quasi‐nanometer zirconium carbon (ZrC) to compose with polyurethane (PU) resin under roller pressure to study the interaction between the ZrC particle and PU molecules in the composite films, and find that the values of tensile strength, modulus, energy at break, T_m of soft‐segment, and T_g of soft‐segment, and weight percentage of char yield are increased, and elongation and char yield temperature are decreased with the increase of ZrC composed in PU, as this composed amounts are lower than 2.5%. The infrared spectroscopic spectra and wide angle X‐ray diffraction patterns reveal that the ether and ester groups of PU polymer can interact with ZrC to lower the interlayer distance of the crystal of PU polymer in composites. We assure that the interaction between the particles of ZrC and PU under roller pressure is in preparation process and account that the interaction between the particle and PU molecule will be an important factor to evaluate whether the particle in the composite is even and perfect. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 191–197, 2006     

Polyester polyols for waterborne polyurethanes and hybrid dispersions

In this study, environmentally friendly polyester based polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) were synthesized using various combinations of isophthalic acid, adipid acid and maleic anhydride (IPA-AA-MA). A triangular empirical model was employed to optimize total number of experiments for optimal performance of polyurethane dispersions. In addition to PUDs, polyurethane/acrylate hybrid dispersions (PU/AC) were synthesized using graft copolymerization method to enhance the performance/properties of PUDs and for potential cost benefit.     

Design strategy for waterborne polyurethane with sodium sulfonate groups on the soft segments

The field of waterborne polyurethane (WPU) is gaining a great deal of momentum from both a commercial and academic sense because of increasing environmental and sustainable awareness. For polyurethane (PU) to be dispersible in water, the hydrophilic groups are very important in the design of the polymer chains. Herein, we present a design strategy for WPU having hydrophilic groups on the soft segments through the reaction of as‐synthesized OH‐terminated poly(ε‐caprolactone) diols containing a sodium sulfonate group with diisocyanate. A stable aqueous dispersion was then obtained, and this was followed by a subsequent chain extension reaction and emulsification. We found that the PU dispersion particles were a core–shell structure with a good particle size distribution, and the obtained films exhibited a low tensile strength and a high elongation at break. This approach provided valuable information for fundamental research in the production, modification, property enhancement, and new applications of these materials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39657.