Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane/polybutyl methacrylate interpenetrating polymer networks

A series of castor oil based polyurethane (PU) and poly (butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) (PU/PBMA; 80/20, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60 and 20/80) were prepared by sequential polymerization method using toluene diisocyanate (TDI), dibutyl tin dilaurate (DBTL) as catalyst and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDM) as crosslinker. Tensile strength, percentage elongation at break and surface hardness; FTIR and optical properties of the IPNs are reported. Thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA) studies of the IPNs are performed in order to establish their thermal stability. TGA thermogram shows that the thermal degradation of IPN was found to proceed in three steps. The microcrystalline parameters such as crystal size (N) and lattice disorder (g in%) of IPNs have been estimated using wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) studies. The surface morphology of the IPNs has been studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM).