Hybrid Poly(hydroxy urethane)s: Folded-Sheet Morphology and Thermoreversible Adhesion

Hybrid poly(hydroxy urethane)s (PHUs) are synthesized by copolymerizing aromatic/alicyclic cyclic carbonates with a polyether amine via addition polymerization. They result into polymers with an average molecular weight of 10 kDa and exhibit solubility in common organic solvents. The hybrid PHUs display T-g up to 18 degrees C. PHUs are enriched with multiple H-bonded interactions and they are assessed using temperature-dependent H-1 NMR and Fourier-transform infrared studies. PHUs possess folded-sheet morphology with nanogap between folds and nanowidth between chains. The secondary interactions bestow thermoreversible property to PHUs, and they display good adhesion to both polar (Al-Al) and nonpolar (HDPE-HDPE) substrates. Hybrid PHUs show improved optical transparency compared to homo PHUs. The PHUs are thermally stable up to 250 degrees C.