Journal
POLYMERS
Volume 13, Issue 13, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/polym13132060
Keywords
polycaprolactone diol; polyurethane; 4,4 '-cyclohexamethylene diisocyanate; 1,6-hexanediol; atomic forcemicroscopy
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Funding
- Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University [RG-1441-453]
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This study evaluated the morphological behavior of polyurethane elastomers by modifying the soft segment chain length. Increasing the molecular weight of the soft segment was found to enhance microphase separation and crystallinity of the synthesized polymers. Additionally, an increase in the molecular weight of polyols was observed to result in a decrease in surface energy and an increase in contact angle with test liquids.
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 degrees-54.9 degrees) 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.
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