Synthesis and Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Poly(urethaneurea) Elastomers Based on Heterocyclic Cross-linkers and Purine Diamine as a Chain Extender

The effects of the inclusion of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives into the main chains of the polyurethane urea exposed to UV radiation

Linear polyurethane urea containing 1,2,4-triazole segments was obtained by polyaddition of the 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole (DATA) to urethane prepolymer. Also, three crosslinked polymers with different crosslinkers (2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (TAP), glycerin (Gly), castor oil (CO)) were synthesized. Thermogravimetric analysis, of the obtained polymers, indicated good thermal stability up to 310°C. The polyurethane urea chemical structure was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of these polymers, measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), were found in the range of −52°C to −56°C. These values were not significantly influenced by the structure of the hard domain and the intermolecular interactions. The tensile testing showed that the inclusion of 1,2,4-triazole in polyurethane structure substantially improves the tensile strength up to 58 MPa. The obtained polyurethane urea presents surface slight hydrophobic and low interfacial tension. The positive effect of the 1,2,4-triazole segment from the polymer main chain in the UV aging process of these polymer materials has been studied. After exposure to UV radiation, few changes were observed in the molecular structure, in the surface morphology and the mechanical properties.

Structure–properties relationship of the polyurethanes that contain Schiff base in the main chain

This article studies the diversification of useful properties of polyurethane (PU) structures by the inclusion of new components. PUs containing a Schiff base in the main chain were synthesized by using N, N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine as a chain extender. Novel Schiff base PUs were synthesized via a two-step polymerization starting from a Schiff base derivative diol chain extender with different molar ratios or by cross-linking with various natural raw materials. The sought after structures was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectra that showed the disappearance of the signals of both the hydroxyl and isocyanate groups. The thermal properties of these PUs were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The initial degradation temperatures of the obtained PUs were found to be in the range of 300–350°C. Based on the results from DMA, the rigid structure of the Schiff base from the backbone of the PUs presented a higher storage modulus, results which may be connected to the physical cross-linking process of the macromolecules. Their optical properties were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy. The incorporation of Schiff base structures into the main PU chain generates new PU structures with improved thermomechanical properties, which includes possible bioactive Schiff base moieties, widening the range of practical applications for such polymers.