Synthesis and Gas Permeability of Cyclotetrasiloxane-Containing Methacrylate Copolymers

Abstract

Synthesis and gas permeability of random and block copolymers of a cyclotetrasiloxane-containing methacrylate have been studied in comparison with those of tris(trimethylsiloxy)silane-containing methacrylate (MTTS) copolymers. Random and block copolymers of 3-(heptamethyl cyclotetrasiloxanyl) propyl methacrylate (HCPM) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) were prepared by radical copolymerization using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile and a poly(azoinitiator), poly(1,6-hexamethylene 4,4′-azobiscyanopentanoate), respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that HCPM-MMA block copolymers exhibited heterogeneous phases, as evidenced by two distinct glass transition temperatures due to poly-HCPM (PHCPM) block and PMMA block, while the single glass transition temperatures in the homogeneous phases in HCPM-MMA random copolymers lowered with HCPM content. The oxygen and nitrogen gas permeability coefficients of HCPM-MMA random copolymer films measured at 23°C were found to steeply increase with HCPM contents, although those of HCPM-MMA block copolymers slightly increased. The permeability coefficients of MTTS-MMA random copolymers prevailed over those of HCPM-MMA random copolymers despite the same four Si atoms, probably because of its free volume effect. Further, the HCPM content dependency on the diffusion and solubility coefficients, and the effect of crosslinking on their gas permeability were also discussed.     

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate Using Telechelic Tribromo Terminated Polyurethane Macroinitiator

Novel telechelic tribromo terminated polyurethane (Br₃-PU-Br₃) was used as a macroinitiator in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate using CuBr as a catalyst and NN,N',N”,N”-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as a ligand. During the course of polymerization, poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-polyurethane-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA-b-PU-b-PMMA) tri-block copolymers were formed. The resulting tri-block copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Molecular weight of the tri-block copolymers increases with increasing conversion. This result shows Br₃-PU-Br₃/CuBr/PMDETA initiating system polymerized methyl methacrylate through ATRP mechanism. NMR spectroscopy results revealed that apart from bromine atom transfer from Br₃-PU-Br₃ to PMDETA-CuBr complex, bromine atom transfer from the initially formed tri-block copolymer to PMDETA-CuBr complex also takes place, and, as a result, double bond terminated copolymer formed. Mole ratio of polyurethane and poly(methyl methacrylate) present in the PMMA-b-PU-b-PMMA tri-block copolymers was calculated using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and it was found to be comparable with the mole ratio calculated through GPC results. Differential scanning calorimetric results confirmed the presence of two different phases in the tri-block copolymers.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Methacrylate Monomers Having Pendant Oxime Esters and Their Copolymerization with Styrene

New methacrylate monomers, 2‐{[(diphenylmethylene)amino]oxy}‐2‐oxoethyl methacrylate (DPOMA) and 2‐{[(1‐phenylethylidene)ami no]oxy}‐2‐oxoethyl methacrylate (MMOMA) were prepared by reaction of sodium methacrylate with diphenylmethanone O‐(2‐chloroacetyl) oxime and 1‐phenylethanone O‐(2‐chloroacetyl) oxime, respectively. They were obtained from a reaction of chloroacetyl chloride with benzophenone oxime or acetophenone oxime. The free‐radical‐initiated copolymerization of (DPOMA) and (MMOMA) with styrene (St) were carried out in 1,4‐dioxane solution at 65°C using 2,2‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator with different monomer‐to‐monomer ratios in the feed. The monomers and copolymers were characterized by FTIR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectral studies. The copolymer compositions were evaluated by nitrogen content in polymers. The reactivity ratios of the monomers were determined by the application of Fineman–Ross and Kelen–Tüdös methods. The molecular weights (M¯_w and M¯_n) and polydispersity index of the polymers were determined by using gel permeation chromatography. Thermogravimetric analysis of the polymers reveals that the thermal stability of the copolymers increases with an increase in the mole fraction of St in the copolymers. The activation energies of the thermal degradation of the polymers were calculated with the MHRK method. Glass transition temperatures of the copolymers were found to decrease with an increase in the mole fraction of DPOMA or MMOMA in the copolymers. The antibacterial and antifungal effects of the monomers and polymers were also investigated on various bacteria and fungi. The photochemical properties of the polymers were investigated by UV and FTIR spectra.     

Pyrene Fluorescence in the Presence of Acrylic Acid-Ethyl Methacrylate Copolymers: Effect of the Copolymer Composition in the Formation of Microdomains*

The properties of aqueous solutions of acrylic acid-ethyl methacrylate (EMA) copolymers have been investigated using pyrene and pyrene pyrenebutyltrimethylammonium (PBTA) as probes. Static and dynamic fluorescence have been used to obtain information about the microenviron-ments formed. Micropolarity studies using the I₁/I₃ ratio of the vibronic bands of pyrene show the formation of hydrophobic domains. At low pH the increase of the amount of ethyl methacrylate in the copolymers shows that aqueous microdomains are excluded from the core of the polymer, for the copolymers with high content of EMA low polarity microdomains are still present on the mac-romolecular chain even at higher pH. The pH-induced conformational transition indicates that the more hydro-phobic copolymers adopt a more tightly coiled conformation. Compared to PAA, the decay times for both probes are increased twice for the polymer with 25% molar proportion of EMA. The fluorescence quenching of the probes by nitromethane depends on pH, copolymer composition and probe structure. The efficiency of quenching decreases with increase of the EMA proportion in the copolymers. Pyrene is more efficiently quenched than PBTA as a consequence of the latter being located in more internal (less accessible) sites of the polymer structure.     

Ambient Temperature Photocopolymerization of Tetrahydrofurfuryl Methacrylate and Isobornyl Methacrylate: Reactivity Ratios and Thermal Studies

Photocopolymerization of heterocyclic monomer namely, tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate with bulky bicyclic monomer, isobornyl methacrylate with different feed ratios was carried out in bulk with low concentration of an α-hydroxyl ketone based photoinitiator. The ambient temperature photocopolymerization was carried out by using a UV-Visible lamp with fixed low intensity of 0.4 mW cm^?2 for a period of 6 min. The residual monomer remained in the polymerization process were determined by using gas chromatography. The reactivity ratio values for the two monomers were calculated from the copolymer composition data by using Fineman-Ross, Kelen-Tudos, Extended Kelen-Tudos and Mao-Huglin methods. Individually, as well as the average of all the methods revealed that the monomer reactivity ratios of tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate were higher than isobornyl methacrylate. The dyad sequence distribution and dyad sequence lengths were calculated using the Igarashi and Pyun method and the sequence length distribution for tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate was observed to be higher with an increase in its feed content. This supports the reactivity ratio studies that a higher monomer reactivity ratio value for tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate was observed as compared to its comonomer. The thermal studies showed that the glass transition temperatures of the copolymers increased with an increase in isobornyl methacrylate content.     

Polyimide/polyoxometalate copolymer thin films: synthesis,thermal and dielectric properties

A mono‐lancunary keggin‐type decatungstosilicate (SiW₁₁) polyoxometalate (POM) modified by γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) was incorporated into polyimide (PI) through copolymerization. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), fourier transition infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) were used to characterize the structure and composition of the polyoxometalate–organosilane hybrid (SiW₁₁KH550) and PI/SiW₁₁KH550 copolymers. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies indicate that the glass transition temperature (T_g) of PI/SiW₁₁KH550 copolymers increases from 330°C (for neat PI) to 409°C (for the copolymer sample with 10 wt% of SiW₁₁KH550). Dielectric measurement showed that both the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss for the copolymer thin films decreased with the increase in SiW₁₁KH550 content, and the dielectric constant and dielectric loss values decreased to 2.1 and 3.54 × 10^?3, respectively, for the copolymer sample with 10 wt% of SiW₁₁KH550. The incorporation of SiW₁₁KH550 into polymer matrices is a promising approach to prepare PI films with a low dielectric constant and low dielectric loss. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and characterization of copolymers of chloroprene and methyl methacrylate

The preparation of chloroprene–methyl methacrylate copolymers in the presence of Lewis acids (Et_1.5AlCl_1.5) in hydrocarbon solvent and the effect of Lewis acids concentration on copolymer composition are described. ¹³C NMR spectra were obtained on these copolymers. In samples of high MMA content, tactic placements of MMA were observed as well as several different kinds of sequences for chloroprene and MMA. In samples of low MMA content, no tactic placements of MMA were found but several different kinds of chloroprene sequences were observed. From the analysis of the ¹³C NMR spectra of the different copolymers examined, it is apparent that all the various kinds of chloroprene sequences in these copolymers can be determined.     

Copolymerization of 2-Hydtoxypropyl Methacrylate with Alkyl Methacrylates

2-Hydroxypropyl methacrylate (2 HPMA) has been copolym-erized with ethyl methacrylate (EMA), n-butyl methacrylate (BMA), and 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (EHMA) in bulk at 60°C using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The copolymer composition has been determined from the hydroxyl content. The reactivity ratios have been calculated by the YBR method. For copolymerization of 2-HPMA (M₁) with EMA (M₂), the reactivity ratios are: r₁=1.807 ± 0.032, r₂=0.245 ± 0.021; with BMA (M₂) they are r₁=2.378 ± 0.001, r₂=0.19 ± 0.01; and with EHMA the values are r₁=4.370 ± 0.048, r₂=0.103 ± 0.006. Since the reactivity ratios are the measure of distribution of monomer units in a copolymer chain, the values obtained are compared and discussed. This enables us to choose a suitable copolymer for synthesizing thermoset acrylic polymers, which are obtained from cross-linking of hydroxy functional groups of HPMA units, for specific end uses.     

Copolymerization of 2-Hydroxypropyl Methacrylate with Alkyl Met hacrylates

2-Hydroxypropyl methacrylate (2-HPMA) has been copolym-erized with ethyl methacrylate (EMA), n-butyl methacrylate (BMA), and 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (EHMA) in bulk at 60°C using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The copolymer composition has been determined from the hydroxyl content. The reactivity ratios have been calculated by the Yezrielev, Brokhina, and Raskin method. For copolymerization of 2-HPMA (M₁) with EMA (M₂), the reactivity ratios are r₁ = 1.807 ± 0.032 and r₂ = 0.245 ± 0.021; with BMA (M₂) they are n = 2.378 ± 0.001 and r₂ = 0.19 ± 0.01; and with EHMA the values are r₁ = 4.370 ± 0.048 and r₂ = 0.103 ± 0.006. Since reactivity ratios are the measure of distribution of monomer units in copolymer chain, the values obtained are compared and discussed. This enables us to choose a suitable copolymer for synthesizing thermoset acrylic polymers, which are obtained from cross-linking of hydroxy functional groups of HPMA units, for specific end-uses.     

Thermal and optical properties of highly fluorinated copolymers of methacrylates

Copolymers of pentafluorophenylhexafluoroisopropyl methacrylate (FPPMA) with trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEMA) were prepared in THF solution and in bulk using azobisisobutyronitrile as a free radical initiator. The monomer reactivity ratios of TFEMA (M₁) and FPPMA (M₂) were calculated as r₁ = 0.55 and r₂ = 0.07. The refractive indices of poly(TFEMA) and poly(FPPMA) are very similar as 1.435 and 1.430, respectively, at 532 nm, and the copolymer films were transparent. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the copolymers were in the range of 80–90°C and showed a negative deviation from the Gordon–Taylor equation. The thermal decomposition temperature (T_d) was increased with the content of FPPMA in copolymers. Low water absorption for 1:1 FPPMA/TFEMA copolymer was detected. Copolymers of FPPMA with hexafluoroisopropyl methacrylate (HFPMA) were also prepared. The monomer reactivity ratios of HFPMA (M₁) and FPPMA (M₂) were calculated as r₁ = 0.43 and r₂ = 0.10. The T_gs of the copolymers were in the range of 88–95°C and showed also a negative deviation from the Gordon–Taylor equation. T_g and T_d of the copolymers were increased with the content of FPPMA. The refractive index of poly(HFPMA) (1.384 at 532 nm) is much lower than that of FPPMA homopolymer, but copolymer films obtained were clear and transparent. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Further Studies on the Anionic Copolymerization of Styrene and Glycidyl Methacrylate in Toluene

Sequential anionic copolymerization of styrene and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was performed with the protection of argon under normal pressure, where styrene, GMA, toluene, THF, n-butyllithium and a small amount of lithium chloride (LiCl) were used as first monomer, second monomer, solvent, polar reagent, initiator and additive, respectively. Polystyrene-b-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers (PS-b-PGMA) with well-defined structure and narrow molecular weight distribution were prepared by the copolymerization reaction of poly(styryl)lithium with GMA under certain temperatures. The copolymers were characterized using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and hydrochloric acid-dioxane argentimetric methods. The effects of additives, copolymerization temperature and THF dosage on the copolymerization were studied. No chain transfer reaction of anionic polymerization of styrene in toluene was observed. Slightly broader molecular weight distribution of PS-b-PGMA was observed with the increase the GMA repeat units. Using THF/toluene blend solvent could reduce the polydispersity index (M _w /M _n ) and dissolve the copolymer better than toluene alone. Lower temperature (< -40°C) and LiCl are required to prepare PS-b-PGMA with narrower molecular weight distribution.     

Synthesis, spectral and thermal properties of homo- and copolymers of 2-[(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)amino]-2-oxo-ethyl methacrylate with styrene and methyl methacrylate and determination of monomer reactivity ratios

The methacrylate monomer, 2-[(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)amino]-2-oxo-ethyl methacrylate (IAOEMA), was synthesized by reacting 2-chloro-N-(5-methylisoxazol)acetamide dissolved in acetonitrile with sodium methacrylate in the presence of triethylbenzylammoniumchloride (TEBAC). The free-radical-initiated copolymerization of IAOEMA, with styrene (ST) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) solution at 65 °C using 2,2^′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator with different monomer-to-monomer ratios in the feed. The monomer (IAOEMA) and copolymers were characterized by FTIR, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectral studies. The copolymer composition was evaluated by nitrogen content in polymers led to the determination of reactivity ratios. The reactivity ratios of the monomers were determined by the application of Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tüdös methods. The analysis of reactivity ratios revealed that ST and MMA are more reactive than IAOEMA, and copolymers formed are statisticalle in nature. The molecular weights (M_w and M_n) and polydispersity index of the polymers were determined using gel permeation chromagtography. Glass transition temperatures of the copolymers were found to increase with an increase in the mole fraction of IAOEMA in the copolymers. The apparent thermal decomposition activation energies (E_d) were calculated by Ozawa method using the SETARAM Labsys TGA thermobalance.     

Effects of composition on the water uptake and hydroplasticisation of the glass transition temperature of methacrylate copolymers

The effects of composition on the glass transition of dry and hydroplasticised copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA), butyl methacrylate (BMA) and 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Results from the hydroplasticisation studies showed that a high PHPMA content (>75 wt.%) was required for high water absorption and that the amount of water uptake was not linear with HPMA content but increased in an accelerating manner with increasing HPMA content. This behaviour was attributed to the increase in the hydrophilic character of the copolymer due to the strong hydroxyl-hydroxyl interactions at high PHPMA content. The T_gs of the dry copolymers were successfully predicted by all three equations used (rule of mixtures, Fox and Gordon-Taylor) but were poorly predicted for the hydroplasticised copolymers. This failure was attributed to the inadequacy of the equations in accounting for the specific interactions between the different segments of the copolymer chains. HPMA depressed the T_g of the water-saturated copolymers but enhanced the T_g of the dry system and this behaviour has particular relevance to its use in water-based latex paints.     

含N-苯基马来酰亚胺甲基丙烯酸酯共聚物的合成及其在负性光致抗蚀剂中的应用

以甲基丙烯酸(MAA)、甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)、N-苯基马来酰亚胺(N-PMI)、甲基丙烯酸环己基酯(CHMA)为反应单体,通过自由基共聚合成了一系列共聚物PMMNC,然后与甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯(GMA)反应制备了甲基丙烯酸酯共聚物G-PMMNC.利用傅立叶红外光谱(FT-IR)、核磁共振氢谱(¹HNMR)、凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)、差示扫描量热(DSC)等表征了共聚物的结构与性能.随着N-PMI含量的升高,共聚物的分子量增大,玻璃化转变温度升高;以G-PMMNC为基体树脂制备了光致抗蚀剂,考察了光致抗蚀剂的耐酸性和分辨率,研究结果表明,该光致抗蚀剂的耐酸性良好,分辨率为40 μm.     

Ion transport and relaxation in phosphonium poly(ionic liquid) homo- and co-polymers

In the present work, a poly(ionic liquid) (PIL), poly(triphenyl-4-vinylbenzylphosphonium chloride) and a series of its random copolymers with nonionic hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) are synthesized by conventional free radical polymerization (CFRP) and reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The understanding of some fundamental aspects about ion transport and relaxation mechanism in PIL and PIL copolymers are investigated using dielectric spectroscopy via several theoretical models. The influence of copolymer compositions, physical blending of neat PIL and PMMA, size of counter anions (Cl⁻ and TFSI⁻) and variation of molecular weights on thermal stability, moisture sensitivity, ionic transport and relaxation properties are also studied. An enhancement of thermal stability and ionic transport property of the PIL copolymer is observed compared to those of the physically mixed blend of two homopolymers with same compositions. The incorporation of hydrophobic PMMA segment definitely decreases the moisture content in PIL copolymers than the PIL itself. In all these PIL- based systems, the temperature dependence of ionic conductivity, relaxation time and ion diffusivity are well described by Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher model. The studies of some fundamental properties of these new PIL copolymers with less moisture sensitivity may help in using them as potential polymer electrolytes in energy storage devices.     

Synthesis and surface properties of a new fluorinated acrylic diblock copolymer via AGET ATRP

A series of fluorinated diblock copolymers poly(2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate)-b-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) PHFMA-b-PGMA with different fluorine content were synthesized by activator generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP). FTIR, ¹H NMR and GPC data verified feasibility and controllability of the synthesis. In order to evaluate the effect of chain structure on the surface properties, corresponding homopolymer poly(2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate) and random copolymer copoly(2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate-r-glycidyl methacrylate) were also comparatively studied. Contact angle measurements indicated that the water and ethyleneglycol contact angles of block- and random copolymers increased with increase of fluorine content, but in different manner. This difference comes from different surface energy at the same fluorine content on film surface. The surface stability of block-copolymer was obviously better than that of random copolymer; the same results were observed in heat resistance tests.     

Anti-microbial activity of anhydride copolymers and their derivatives prepared by ionizing radiation

Methyl methacrylate/maleic anhydride (MMA/MAn) copolymers were synthesized using gamma rays. Preparation conditions such as irradiation dose, comonomer composition and type of diluent affecting the degree of comonomer conversion were investigated. The suitable diluent for obtaining reasonable MMA/MAn copolymer yield was acetone. The higher copolymer yield was achieved when the amount of methyl methacrylate in comonomer feed solutions as well as irradiation dose increased. The effect of ZnCl₂ on the MMA/MAn copolymer yield and structure was studied. Characterization of the prepared MMA/MAn copolymers was performed using FTIR, and thermogravimetric and viscometric analysis. The derivatives of MMA/MAn copolymers were obtained by treating them with different reagents such as sulpha-drugs, hydroxylamine hydrochloride and 4-amino sodium salyciliate. The antimicrobial activity of MMA/MAn copolymers and their derivatives was examined. The activity of such copolymers against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli increased by increasing MAn content in the copolymer. The MMA/MAn copolymers treated with sulpha-drugs exhibited particularly high biological activity against different microorganisms. These results revealed that the prepared MMA/MAn copolymer and its derivatives have a broad antimicrobial activity.     

A novel block copolymer with excellent amphiphobicity synthesized via ARGET ATRP

The poly(methyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(2‐[[[[2‐(perfluorohexyl)]‐sulfonyl]‐amino]ehthyl] methacrylate) (PMMA‐b‐PC₆SMA) copolymers were successfully synthesized for the first time using activator regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP) method. Under optimized reaction conditions, the degree of polymerization (DP) of resulting copolymers increased approximately linearly with monomer conversion. Structures of a well‐defined block copolymer were determined by GPC, FT–IR, and ¹H‐NMR spectra. Results from AFM and contact angle measurements of polymer films revealed the presence of block segments derived from PC₆SMA, as indicated by the obvious increase in hydrophobicity and oleophobicity. The relationship between surface composition and surface wetting ability was confirmed by XPS and AFM spectra. Compared with the random copolymer PMMA‐co‐PC₆SMA, C₆SMA dosages in the PMMA‐b‐PC₆SMA copolymers were greatly decreased, which retained its hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2040–2049     

Endgroups in Copolymers of Acenaphthylene with Methyl Methacrylate Prepared with Azoisobutyronitrile as Initiator

Copolymers of acenaphthylene (ACN) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) have been prepared with azobis(isobutyronitrile-β, β-¹³C₂) as initiator, The endgroups derived from the initiator have been examined by ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy; those attached to ACN units have been distinguished from those attached to MMA units and quantitative comparisons of their numbers have been made. It has been deduced that at 60°C ACN is four times as reactive as MMA toward the (CH₃)₂ C(CN) radical. The marked preference for initiation involving ACN means that, for all copolymers, the ratio of ACN to MMA is appreciably greater for the sites adjacent to the (CH₃)₂ C(CN)– endgroups than for the whole copolymer.     

Incorporation of polydimethylsiloxane into polyurethanes and characterization of copolymers

Novel copolymers of polyurethane (PU) were prepared by direct transurethanetion reaction of a commercial PU with polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS, MW 1000, 5000, and 10,000) containing hydroxyl end-groups. Transurethanetions with different mass ratios of hydrophobic PDMS to hydrophilic PU chains (PDMS1000–PU: 43:57, 67:33, 71:29, and 80:20; PDMS5000–PU: 37:63, and 51:49; PDMS10000–PU: 51:49) were carried out in solution at 65 and 100 °C. In catalyzed reactions, dibutyltin dilaurate (SnC₃₂H₆₄O₄) was used to promote bond breaking in the PU chain and accelerate the reaction between hydroxyl end-groups of PDMS and regenerated isocyanates of PU. The chemical structures of the prepared copolymers were comprehensively characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopies. According to elemental analysis, the content of PDMS varied between 3 wt.% and 16 wt.%, and results obtained from the ¹H NMR spectroscopy were in good agreement with the results of elemental analysis. Increased length of the hydrophobic chain increased the content of PDMS in the copolymer. The GPC results showed that molar masses of the PUPDMS copolymers were lower than the molar mass of the starting PU. The glass transitions (T_g) of the copolymers were shifted to lower temperature as compared with T_g of the starting polyurethane. ATR FTIR spectroscopy showed the surface of the copolymer films to be enriched with siloxane groups and, according to electron microscopy, it was textured with microspheres. The static contact angles for copolymer films measured with deionized water ranged from 94° to 117°. The different structural, thermal and surface properties of the PUPDMS copolymers as compared with PU indicated that transurethanetion had taken place.