Development of spiropyran bonded bio-based waterborne polyurethanes for mechanical-responsive color-variable films

Tough, Self-Recoverable, Spiropyran (SP3) Bearing Polymer Beads Incorporated PAM Hydrogels with Sole Mechanochromic Behavior

Spiropyran-containing hydrogels that can respond to external stimuli such as temperature, light, and stress have attracted extensive attention in recent years. However, most of them are generally dual or multiple stimuli-responsive to external stimuli, and the interplay of different stimulus responses is harmful to their sensitivity. Herein, spiropyran bearing polymer beads incorporated PAM (poly(AM–co–MA/DMSP3)) hydrogels with sole mechanochromic properties were synthesized by emulsion polymerization of acrylamide (AM) and methyl acrylate (MA) in the presence of spiropyran dimethacrylate mechanophore (DMSP3) crosslinker. Due to the hydrophobic nature of MA and DMSP3, the resultant hydrogel afforded a rosary structure with DMSP3 bearing polymer beads incorporated in the PAM network. It is found that the chemical component (e.g., AM, MA, and DMSP3 concentrations) significantly affect the mechanical and mechanoresponsive properties of the as-obtained poly(AM–co–MA/DMSP3) hydrogel. Under optimal conditions, poly(AM–co–MA/DMSP3) hydrogel displayed high mechanical properties (tensile stress of 1.91 MPa, a tensile strain of 815%, an elastic modulus of 0.67 MPa, and tearing energy of 3920 J/m²), and a good self-recovery feature. Owing to the mechanoresponsive of SP3, the hydrogels exhibited reversible color changes under force-induced deformation and relaxed recovery states. More impressive, the poly(AM–co–MA/DMSP3) hydrogel showed a linear correlation between tensile strain and chromaticity (x, y) as well as a stain and resting time-dependent color recovery rate. This kind of hydrogel is believed to have great potential in the application of outdoor strain sensors.

Mechanochromophore-linked Polymeric Materials with Visible Color Changes

Mechanical force as a type of stimuli for smart materials has obtained much attention in the past decade. Color-changing materials in response to mechanical stimuli have shown great potential in the applications such as sensors and displays. Mechanochromophore-linked polymeric materials, which are a growing sub-class of these materials, are discussed in detail in this review. Two main types of mechanochromophores which exhibit visible color change, summarized herein, involve either isomerization or radical generation mechanisms. This review focuses on their synthesis and incorporation into polymer matrices, the type of mechanical force used, factors affecting the mechanochromic properties, and their applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Effect of chain extenders with different functionalities on the properties of single-component waterborne polyurethane ink binders

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) dispersions were prepared by post-chain extension and crosslinking reactions using 2-[(2-aminoethyl)-amino]ethyl sulfonic acid sodium (AAS), diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA) and AAS/DETA as post-chain extenders, and their influence on the properties of WPUs was studied. Results showed the introduction of trifunctional DETA chain extenders significantly improved the molecular weight, T-peel strength, and water resistance of WPUs, suggesting that DETA was an effective crosslinking agent. The WPU dispersions with a 2 : 3 molar ratio of AAS/DETA chain extenders exhibited excellent properties. At a molar ratio of 1.6 for NCO groups to OH groups, a stable WPU dispersion possessed higher solid content of 42.8%. Furthermore, only 4 wt% organic solvents were used in the preparation of WPU dispersions. Results revealed that the obtained WPU dispersions are a potential candidate for binders in water-based inks, without removing organic solvents. This study may provide some insight or guidance for the design and preparation of water-based ink binders.

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) dispersions were prepared by post-chain extension and crosslinking reactions using different functional chain extenders. The influences of chain extenders type on the properties of WPUs were investigated.