Kinetic studies of polyurethane polymerization with Raman spectroscopy

The influence of applied silica nanoparticles on a bio-renewable castor oil based polyurethane nanocomposite and its physicochemical properties

Bio-renewable castor oil polyurethane–silica nanocomposite films with improved thermal, surface and mechanical properties were prepared. These films find application in biomaterials development.

Non-destructive determination of ethylene vinyl acetate cross-linking in photovoltaic (PV) modules by Raman spectroscopy

Vibrational spectroscopy was found to be a suitable method for the determination of the degree of cross-linking of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymers. Spectral changes in the Raman spectra of EVA with increasing lamination time (which equals increasing degree of cross-linking) were mainly detected in the CH vibrational regions, namely, in the relative intensities of the characteristic CH3 and CH2 bands. These spectral regions were chosen for a chemometric evaluation where a calibration was performed with the Raman spectra of reference EVA samples and the results obtained from corresponding thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry) and Soxhlet extraction data. These datasets were subsequently used to non-destructively determine the progress of cross-linking in EVA foils, embedded in various mini-modules by Raman microscopy. Thus, we could show that Raman spectroscopy is a highly interesting method for quality control in the production of photovoltaic (PV) modules. However, this approach is valid only for a given grade of EVA, meaning a demand for a new calibration when changing the supplier or the type of EVA used. In addition, the applicability of infrared spectroscopy for the determination of the degree of cross-linking was tested. A good correlation of the decrease in intensity of the characteristic cross-linker infrared bands with increasing progress of the cross-linking was found, as determined by reference methods. However, this analytical method requires taking samples of the EVA foils and is, thus, unsuitable for the non-destructive determination of the degree of cross-linking of the EVA encapsulated within a PV module.

Kinetics of benzoxazine polymerization studied by Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy was used to monitor the curing process of a benzoxazine monomer. The reaction follows an autocatalytic mechanism. The autocatalytic model described in Kamal equation was employed. The activation energy and the pre-exponential factor were determined as: Ea = 60.52 kJ mol−1 and A = 6.09 × 105 min−1. The overall reaction order was found to be 1.731 ( n = 1.078; m = 0.653). The kinetic model characterized by these values is in good agreement with the experimental values.

Biocompatibility and chemical reaction kinetics of injectable, settable polyurethane/allograft bone biocomposites

Injectable and settable bone grafts offer significant advantages over pre-formed implants due to their ability to be administered using minimally invasive techniques and to conform to the shape of the defect. However, injectable biomaterials present biocompatibility challenges due to the potential toxicity and ultimate fate of reactive components that are not incorporated in the final cured product. In this study the effects of stoichiometry and triethylenediamine (TEDA) catalyst concentration on the reactivity, injectability, and biocompatibility of two component lysine-derived polyurethane (PUR) biocomposites were investigated. Rate constants were measured for the reactions of water (a blowing agent resulting in the generation of pores), polyester triol, dipropylene glycol (DPG), and allograft bone particles with the isocyanate-terminated prepolymer using an in situ attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy technique. Based on the measured rate constants, a kinetic model predicting the conversion of each component with time was developed. Despite the fact that TEDA is a well-known urethane gelling catalyst, it was found to preferentially catalyze the blowing reaction with water relative to the gelling reactions by a ratio >17:1. Thus the kinetic model predicted that the prepolymer and water proceeded to full conversion, while the conversions of polyester triol and DPG were <70% after 24h, which was consistent with leaching experiments showing that only non-cytotoxic polyester triol and DPG were released from the reactive PUR at early time points. The PUR biocomposite supported cellular infiltration and remodeling in femoral condyle defects in rabbits at 8weeks, and there was no evidence of an adverse inflammatory response induced by unreacted components from the biocomposite or degradation products from the cured polymer. Taken together, these data underscore the utility of the kinetic model in predicting the biocompatibility of reactive biomaterials.

Multivariate analysis of micro-Raman spectra of thermoplastic polyurethane blends using principal component analysis and principal component regression

Probing the specific hydrogen-bonding behavior of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blends using vibrational spectroscopies remains the sin qua non for understanding the link between hydrogen-bonding and phase-segregation behavior. However, current literature holds to more traditional univariate approaches when studying the morphologically interesting normal molecular vibrations of TPUs. In the present study, multivariate analysis, including principal component analysis (PCA) and principal component regression (PCR), is used to scrutinize the relevant Raman bands acquired from a binary mixture of analogous TPU copolymer blends. Considering the near identical behavior of selected spectral regions, PCA was capable of isolating linear and nonlinear composition-dependent trends on PC-scores plots. From here, the PC scores, extracted from wavelengths comprising the carbonyl stretching region (1681-1764 cm(-1)), CH(2) deformations (1380-1500 cm(-1)), aromatic stretch from the hard segment (1617 cm(-1)), and amide II mixed band (1540 cm(-1)), were used to explicitly predict the mole fraction of hard segment present in each blend using PCR. Spectral preprocessing, wavelength selection, and variable scaling were major factors in PCR accurately predicting the weight fraction of each copolymer in spite of the clearly evident, blend-specific spectroscopic behavior.

Thermoplastic polyurethane/single-walled carbon nanotube composites with low electrical resistance surfaces

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) nanocomposite films were prepared using 1,6-hexane diisocyanate and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) in tetrahydrofuran with various concentrations of SWCNTs. The interaction between polyurethane (PU) and SWCNTs in nanocomposite was studied using different methods. The film turns yellowish to grayish-black in colour upon increasing the concentration of SWCNTs in PU matrix. This may be due to the formation of π–π interaction between polyurethane amide functional group and SWCNTs. Differential scanning calorimetric results show that the soft segment of nanocomposite interacts much stronger than hard segment, which results in lowering melting transition temperature of soft segments. The activation energy and thermal stability parameters were determined from thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analyses. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic results show the intermolecular interaction between HTPB-based PU and SWCNT. Mesoporous morphology of the nanocomposites was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The average diameter of the pores was calculated using Gaussian method. The TPU films exhibit about 3.5 times greater resistivity than nanocomposite films. All the analysed data prove that the SWCNTs were well distributed in PU matrix and exhibited as tough films with low electrical resistivity.

Development of bacterially resistant polyurethane for coating medical devices

Polyurethanes have been widely used in medicine for coating and packaging implantable and other medical devices. Polyether-urethanes, in particular, have superior mechanical properties and are biocompatible, but in common with other medical materials they are susceptible to microbial film formation. In this study, polyether-urethane was end-capped with silver lactate and silver sulfadiazine functional groups to produce a bacterially resistant polymer without sacrificing the useful mechanical properties of the polyether-polyurethane. The silver ions were covalently incorporated into the polymer during chain extension of the prepolymer. The functionalized polymers were structurally characterized by light scattering, electron microscopy, NMR, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, in vitro stability and antibacterial action of polymers were also investigated. Results indicate that both silver salts were successfully incorporated into the polymer structure without significant effect on mechanical properties, whilst conferring acceptable bacterial resistance.

Mechanical properties and morphology of nano-reinforced rigid PU foam

This study is dedicated to the investigation of the change in mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foam reinforced with carbon nanoparticles. Pure and nano-reinforced polyurethane foams were produced by an in situ polymerization technique. Carbon nanotubes (single-walled carbon nanotubes and multi-walled carbon nanotubes) and carbon nanofibers were used as reinforcing particles. Diphenylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate treatment of carbon nanoparticles was performed in order to improve the interaction of nanoparticles and polymer matrix. The alterations of morphology and mechanical properties of the nano-reinforced polyurethane foam were studied by varying the amount of both pristine and modified carbon nanoparticles. Compression tests revealed an improvement of both compressive Young’s modulus and compressive strength, and scanning electron microscope observations showed a decrease of the average cell size of the foam.

Synthesis and characterisation of enhanced barrier polyurethane for encapsulation of implantable medical devices

Polymeric membranes have been used as interfaces between implantable devices and biological tissues to operate as a protective barrier from water exchanging and to enhance biocompatibility. Polyurethanes have been used as biocompatible membranes for decades. In this study, copolymers of polyether urethane (PEU) with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were synthesised with the goal of creating materials with low water permeability and high elasticity. PDMS was incorporated into polymer backbone as a part of the soft segment during polyurethane synthesis and physical properties as well as water permeability of resulting copolymer were studied in regard to PDMS content. Increase in PDMS content led to increase of microphase separation of the copolymer and corresponding increase in elastic modulus. Surface energy of the polymer was decreased by incorporating PDMS compared to unmodified PEU. PDMS in copolymer formed a hydrophobic surface which caused reduction in water permeability and water uptake of the membranes. Thus, PDMS containing polyurethane with its potent water resistant properties demonstrated a great promise for use as an implantable encapsulation material.

Second order elasticity at hypersonic frequencies of reactive polyurethanes as seen by generalized Cauchy relations

The non-equilibrium process of polymerization of reactive polymers can be accompanied by transition phenomena like gelation or the chemical glass transition. The sensitivity of the mechanical properties at hypersonic frequencies-including the generalized Cauchy relation-to these transition phenomena is studied for three different polyurethanes using Brillouin spectroscopy. As for epoxies, the generalized Cauchy relation surprisingly holds true for the non-equilibrium polymerization process and for the temperature dependence of polyurethanes. Neither the sol-gel transition nor the chemical and thermal glass transitions are visible in the representation of the generalized Cauchy relation. Taking into account the new results and combining them with general considerations about the elastic properties of the isotropic state, an improved physical foundation of the generalized Cauchy relation is proposed.

Preparation and characterization of a novel bioactive restorative composite based on covalently coupled polyurethane-nanohydroxyapatite fibres

Nanohydroxyapatite (n-HAp) was prepared using a sol-gel method. n-HAp powder was obtained from the gel form by heat treatment followed by grinding using ball milling. A novel polyurethane composite material was prepared by chemically binding the hydroxyapatite to the diisocyanate component in the polyurethane backbone through solvent polymerization. The procedure involved the stepwise addition of monomeric units of the polyurethane and optimizing the reagent concentrations. The resultant composite material was electrospun to form fibre mats. The fibres were less than 1mum in thickness and contained no beads or irregularities. Chemical structural characterization of both the ceramics and the novel polymers were carried out by Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis were also employed to observe the crystal lattice and size and surface area of the n-HAp. Further characterization (by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and SEM) of the spun fibres revealed the presence of elements associated with hydroxyapatite and polyurethane without the presence of any loose particles of hydroxyapatite, indicating the formation of the covalent bond between the ceramics and the polymer backbone.