Synthesis of a polydimethylsiloxane-block-hydroxyl grafted acrylate prepolymer copolymer to improve the adhesion between silicone rubber and polyurethane by induced surface reconstruction

A new class of hydroxyl-functionalized polydimethylsiloxane-block-hydroxyl graft acrylate prepolymer (PDMS-b-HGAP) copolymers was synthesized. The copolymers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as H-1 and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The hydroxyl groups of the HGAP were reacted with the chlorine terminal in the PDMS to yield a triblock copolymer consisting of two segments of PDMS linked to a HGAP segment. The induced surface reconstruction of silicone rubber (SR)by blending polysiloxane reactants with bifunctional PDMS-b-HGAP copolymers and curing using mold materials having high critical surface tension such as polyethyleneterephthalate was attempted to improve the adhesion between chemically-inert SR and polyurethane (PU). Surface characterization using Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance indicated that the surface of the SR was enriched with HGAP. The increased content of surface HGAP was suggested to account for the improved adhesion between SR and PU.