Computational development and validation of a representative MDI-BDO-based polyurethane hard segment model

Segmented polyurethanes show extraordinary physicochemical properties, mainly owing to the nature and the chemistry of the hard segment domains. There are yet many inexplicable physiochemical properties of MDI-BDO-based hard polyurethane segments such as the geometry, cis-trans isomerism, electronic structure, chemical reactivity, the inter-hard-segment interactions, and the photo-response. In the present study, it was attempted to develop and validate a model system that would facilitate further research on the structural and chemical properties of the MDI-BDO hard segments. It was found that the trans isomer of urethane bond is more stable than the cis isomer, and it is argued here that thermal transformation from trans to cis not possible due to the high rotational energy barrier. The differences between the calculated IR spectra of the cis and trans isomers are proposed as a powerful differentiation tool. The calculated Fukui indices show that cis and trans isomers are different in their chemical reactivity. The findings of the present study suggest intermolecular and intramolecular pi-stacking and highly plausible two significant types of hydrogen bond types between hard segments. In the present study, a model system for MDI-BDO hard segment was developed and successfully validated via computational experiments. Further calculations done with the new model provided an indispensable understanding of the structure, cis-trans isomerism, reactivity, and intermolecular interactions of the MDI-BDO hard segments. The proposed model can be further improved in the future by incorporating suitable soft segments. In summary, the model system developed and validated in the present study has provided new opportunities to understand and further study the structural and chemical features of the hard segments of the MDI-BDO-based polyurethane.

Structure–Properties Relationship in Waterborne Poly(Urethane-Urea)s Synthesized with Dimethylolpropionic Acid (DMPA) Internal Emulsifier Added before, during and after Prepolymer Formation

Dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) internal emulsifier has been added before, during and after prepolymer formation in the synthesis of waterborne poly(urethane-urea)s (PUDs) and their structure–properties relationships have been assessed. PUDs were characterized by pH, viscosity and particle size measurements, and the structure of the poly(urethane-urea) (PU) films was assessed by infra-red spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, plate–plate rheology and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The adhesion properties of the PUDs were measured by cross-hatch adhesion and T-peel test. The lowest pH value and the highest mean particle size were found in the PUD made by adding DMPA after prepolymer formation, all PUDs showed relatively ample mono-modal particle size distributions. The highest viscosity and noticeable shear thinning were obtained in the PUD made by adding DMPA during prepolymer formation. Depending on the stage of addition of DMPA, the length of the prepolymer varied and the PU films showed different degree of micro-phase separation. Because the shortest prepolymer was formed in the PU made with DMPA added before prepolymer, this PU film showed the lowest storage moduli and early melting indicating higher degree of micro-phase separation. The highest storage modulus, later melting, higher temperature and lower modulus at the cross between the storage and loss moduli corresponded to the PU made by adding DMPA after prepolymer formation, because the longer prepolymer produced during synthesis. The lowest thermal stability corresponded to the PU made by adding DMPA during prepolymer formation and the structures of all PU films were dominated by the soft domains, the main structural differences derived from the hard domains. Whereas DMPA-isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) urethane and urea hard domains were created in the PU film made by adding DMPA during prepolymer formation, the other PU films showed DMPA-IPDI, polyester-IPDI and two different DMPA-IPDI-polyester hard domains. Finally, the adhesion properties of the PUDs and PU coatings were excellent and they were not influenced by the structural differences caused by adding DMPA in different stages of the synthesis.