Supramolecular structure of crosslinked polyurethane elastomers based on well-defined prepolymers

Impact of Macrodiols on the Morphological Behavior of H12MDI/HDO-Based Polyurethane Elastomer

In this study, we evaluated the morphological behavior of polyurethane elastomers (PUEs) by modifying the soft segment chain length. This was achieved by increasing the soft segment molecular weight (Mn = 400–4000 gmol⁻¹). In this regard, polycaprolactone diol (PCL) was selected as the soft segment, and 4,4′-cyclohexamethylene diisocyanate (H₁₂MDI) and 1,6-hexanediol (HDO) were chosen as the hard segments. The films were prepared by curing polymer on Teflon surfaces. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized for functional group identification in the prepared elastomers. FTIR peaks indicated the disappearance of −NCO and −OH groups and the formation of urethane (NHCOO) groups. The morphological behavior of the synthesized polymer samples was also elucidated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. The AFM and SEM results indicated that the extent of microphase separation was enhanced by an increase in the molecular weight of PCL. The phase separation and degree of crystallinity of the soft and hard segments were described using X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was observed that the degree of crystallinity of the synthesized polymers increased with an increase in the soft segment’s chain length. To evaluate hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, the contact angle was measured. A gradual increase in the contact angle with distilled water and diiodomethane (38.6°–54.9°) test liquids was observed. Moreover, the decrease in surface energy (46.95–24.45 mN/m) was also found to be inconsistent by increasing the molecular weight of polyols.

Study on Microphase Separation of Waterborne Polyurethane by the Infrared Spectroscopy Peak Fitting

A series of waterborne polyurethane (WPU) with different soft segment structures were sythesised, and the effects of the structure and molecular weight of the soft segment on the degree of PU microphase separation were evaluated by the infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) computer peak fitting. The experiment results indicated that phase separation between hard and soft segments of poly (ether–urethane) was more significant than poly (ester–urethane), based on the qualitative analysis on the N–H stretching region of the FTIR spectrum. And the qualitative analysis on the carbonyl stretching region showed that PU with lower soft segment molecular weight had a higher relative amount of hard segment, and possesses higher microphase separation degree. The addition of polyether soft segment PEG had an internal plasticization by actuating the PCD molecular chain. Therefore, it becomes easier for PU to conduct structure adjustment and increased the phase separation degree.