Effect of NCO/OH ratio and Ce‐Zr nanoparticles on the thermo‐mechanical properties of hyperbranched polyurethane urea coatings

The present study describes the effect of NCO/OH ratio and addition of Cerium (Ce)‐Zirconium (Zr) mixed oxide nanoparticles on the properties of Hyperbranched Polyurethane Urea (HBPUU) Coatings. Initially a hydroxyl terminated hyperbranched polymer (HTBP) was synthesized through A₃ + CB₂ approach. The HTBP and Ce‐Zr nanopowder dispersed HTBP, both were reacted with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) separately; at various NCO/OH eq. ratios to get different NCO terminated HBPU and HBPU/Ce‐Zr hybrid prepolymers. These prepolymers were used for the preparation of HBPUU and HBPUU/Ce‐Zr hybrid coating films through moisture curing. The techniques such as ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT‐IR, and XRD have been used for structural information while Dynamic mechanical and thermal analyzer (DMTA), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Universal testing machine (UTM) have been used for evaluation of thermo‐mechanical properties. The combined spectroscopic investigations results indicate the formation of HBPUU network with a degree of branching of 76% while FT‐IR deconvolution results indicates the formation of more hydrogen bonded structure with increasing NCO/OH ratio. The XRD and FT‐IR studies confirm the presence of Ce‐Zr mixed nanoparticles in the HBPUU hybrids. As per TGA and DMTA analysis the thermal stability, char residue, storage modulus (E', material stiffness) and glass transition temperature (T_g), increases with increasing NCO/OH ratio and Ce‐Zr nanoparticle loading in HBPUU coatings. In general, UTM data suggest that the tensile strength increases and per cent elongation at break decreases with increasing the NCO/OH ratio and addition level of nanoparticles in HBPUU coatings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of epoxy‐phenolic mixtures

The dynamic‐mechanical properties of different mixtures formed by an epoxy resin (DGEBA type) and a phenolic resin (resole type) cured by trietylenetetramine and/or p‐toluensulphonic acid at different concentrations have been studied by means of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). All samples were cured by pressing at 90 °C during 6 h. The mechanical studies were performed between ?100 to 300 °C at a heating rate of 2 °C/min. This study was also carried out for the epoxy‐TETA and phenolic‐p‐toluensulphonic acid systems. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1548–1555, 2005     

Investigations of morphology of moisture‐cured silicone–urethanes

Results of studies on synthesis and properties of siloxane–urethane prepolymers as well as on selected properties of moisture‐cured silicone–urethanes have already been published. In this paper, some results of investigations of the effect of chemical structure of such silicone–urethane polymers on their phase seggregation investigated using mainly (TEM) transmission electron microscopy and small‐angle x‐ray scattering (SAXS) techniques are presented. It was found in TEM studies that in silicone‐urethanes obtained by moisture‐curing of NCO‐terminated prepolymers prepared from siloxane oligomer diols (SOD) and isophoronediisocyanate (IPDI), two factors determine the morphology of samples: length of siloxane chain and NCO/OH ratio. SAXS investigations showed that these silicone–urethanes had a lamellar structure. It was found that the long period of this structure changed from 4 to 9 nanometers as the siloxane chain length increased nine times. The increase of the long period correlated with the decrease of Young's modulus of the corresponding samples. TEM investigations of silicone–urethanes obtained by moisture‐curing of NCO‐terminated prepolymers prepared from the blends of SOD and polyoxypropylenediol (PPG) revealed complex morphology which depended on the SOD/PPG ratio. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of bisphenol A‐free oligomeric phthalonitrile resins with sulfone and sulfone‐ketone containing backbones

Two new oligomeric sulfone and sulfone‐ketone containing phthalonitrile (PN) resins with excellent processability have been developed. The PN monomers were prepared from the reaction of an excess amount of bisphenol S with 4‐(chlorophenyl)sulfone or 4,4‐dichlorobenzophenone in the presence of a base in a solvent mixture (dimethylsulfoxide/toluene), followed by end‐capping with 4‐nitro‐PN in a two‐step, one‐pot reaction. These PN resins exhibited good viscosities and cure times for molding into various shapes. After being thermally cured to yield crosslinked polymers, these polymers demonstrated superb mechanical properties, thermo‐oxidative stability, and maintained good dielectric properties. Published 2016. 1 J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1639–1646     

Dynamic mechanical behavior of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber/poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) blends

The dynamic mechanical behavior of uncrosslinked (thermoplastic) and crosslinked (thermosetting) acrylonitrile butadiene rubber/poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (NBR/EVA) blends was studied with reference to the effect of blend ratio, crosslinking systems, frequency, and temperature. Different crosslinked systems were prepared using peroxide (DCP), sulfur, and mixed crosslink systems. The glass‐transition behavior of the blends was affected by the blend ratio, the nature of crosslinking, and frequency. sThe damping properties of the blends increased with NBR content. The variations in tan δ_max were in accordance with morphology changes in the blends. From tan δ values of peroxide‐cured NBR, EVA, and blends the crosslinking effect of DCP was more predominant in NBR. The morphology of the uncrosslinked blends was examined using scanning electron and optical microscopes. Cocontinuous morphology was observed between 40 and 60 wt % of NBR. The particle size distribution curve of the blends was also drawn. The Arrhenius relationship was used to calculate the activation energy for the glass transition of the blends, and it decreased with an increase in the NBR content. Various theoretical models were used to predict the modulus of the blends. From wide‐angle X‐ray scattering studies, the degree of crystallinity of the blends decreased with an increasing NBR content. The thermal behavior of the uncrosslinked and crosslinked systems of NBR/EVA blends was analyzed using a differential scanning calorimeter. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1556–1570, 2002     

Grafting of montmorillonite nano‐clay with butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate by atom transfer radical polymerization: Blends with poly(BuA‐co‐MMA)

11‐(2‐Bromo‐2‐methyl)propionyl‐oxy‐undecyl trichlorosilane atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator was covalently attached on montmorillonite clay platelets via silylation reactions. The initiator clay was used to polymerize butyl acrylate (BuA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) on the clay surface. Polymerization was performed in bulk monomer solution or in DMSO. Polymer modified clay was mixed with a poly(BuA‐co‐MMA) matrix. Small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that clay modified in DMSO gave exfoliated composites when mixed with the matrix copolymer. Mechanical properties of the composites were studied by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The results showed that the mechanical properties were improved as a function of clay content, as well with an increasing homogeneity of the nanocomposite. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3086–3097, 2009     

Mechanical,thermal and morphological properties of poly(ε‐caprolactone)/zein blends

Blends of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) with zein (PCL/zein) in different proportions (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 and 0/100 wt% containing 5 wt% glycerol) were compared based on their mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young's modulus), and on their thermal properties, the latter determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The morphology of the materials was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Blends of PCL/zein showed reduced tensile strength and elongation at break, but increased Young's modulus compared to the pure polymers, in agreement with the DMTA and SEM results. These findings indicated that PCL and zein were incompatible. TGA showed that the thermal stability was enhanced by the addition of zein to PCL, whereas SEM showed a poor interfacial interaction between the polymers. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of a modified linseed oil with varying levels of crosslinking

A commercial norbornyl‐functionalized linseed oil, blended with a bicyclic norbornene‐based crosslinking agent (at loadings ranging from 0 to 50 wt %) undergoes ring‐opening metathesis polymerization with the 1st generation Grubbs' catalyst to form a biorenewable polymer network. Comonomers are characterized, the thermal and mechanical properties of the cured systems are investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis, and thermal decomposition is evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The resin is shown to consist of a modified linseed oil and small oligomers of cyclopentadiene. Broad tan δ peaks suggest inhomogeneous phase morphologies, which result in complex crosslinking behaviors. The thermal stability of the polymers increases with increasing crosslinker content. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6851–6860, 2008     

Novel AB crosslinked polymer networks from telechelic 4‐vinylbenzyl carbamate terminated polyurethanes and different vinyl monomers

Novel AB crosslinked polymer (ABCP) networks were synthesized from telechelic 4‐vinylbenzyl carbamate terminated polyurethanes and monomers such as styrene, 4‐vinylpyridine, methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate. Telechelic 4‐vinylbenzyl carbamate terminated polyurethanes were synthesized from polypropylene glycol‐based NCO‐terminated polyurethane and vinylbenzyl alcohol. Effect of changing the molecular weight of polypropylene glycol on the static and dynamic mechanical properties of ABCP networks from polyurethane‐polymethyl methacrylate was studied in detail. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis results show that polymethyl methacrylate and polystyrene‐based ABCPs have good damping over a broad temperature range. ABCP networks prepared from 4‐vinylbenzyl carbamate terminated polyurethane and different monomers such as methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate and styrene exhibit single tan δ_max value which implies excellent interlocking between the two polymers present in the ABCP networks. Static mechanical studies showed that methyl methacrylate and styrene‐based ABCP networks exhibit better tensile properties compared to other ABCP networks from butyl acrylate and 4‐vinyl pyridine monomers. Thermogravimetric analysis results revealed that the ABCP networks showed an improved thermal stability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biobased poly(2,5‐furandimethylene succinate‐co‐butylene succinate) crosslinked by reversible Diels–Alder reaction

We synthesized biobased poly(2,5‐furandimethylene succinate‐co‐butylene succinate) [P(FS‐co‐BS)] copolymers by polycondensation of 2,5‐bis(hydroxymethyl)furan, 1,4‐butanediol, and succinic acid. These copolymers could be crosslinked to form network polymers by means of a reversible Diels–Alder reaction with bis‐maleimide. The thermal properties, mechanical properties, and healing abilities of the P(FS‐co‐BS)s and the network polymers were investigated. The mechanical properties of the network polymers depended on the comonomer composition of the P(FS‐co‐BS)s and the maleimide/furan ratio in the network polymers. Some of the copolymers exhibited healing ability at room temperature, and their healing efficiency was enhanced by solvent or heat. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 216–222     

Synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched polyesters and polyurethane coatings

Polyurethane (PU) coatings are widely used for variety of high‐performance applications in today's coating technology. The emerging hyperbranched polymers having three‐dimensional morphology have opened a new avenue to tailor the architecture of PU coatings. The methodology followed here is based on preparation of PU coatings from hyperbranched polyester. Initially, different hyperbranched polyester polyols (HPs) were synthesized by varying the hydroxyl‐terminated precursors that is, pentaerythritol, trimethylol propane or glycerol and keeping the diacid that is, adipic acid quantity constant at various mole ratios of 1:0.6, 1:0.8, 1:0.9, and 1:1, respectively. The obtained HPs were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF)‐mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform‐infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The degree of branching and the quantity of different structural units present in the various HPs were calculated by integrating the quaternary carbon and carbonyl zone in ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The extent of condensation in different HPs was also calculated from ¹H NMR spectra. Later on, NCO‐terminated PU prepolymers (NCO‐PU) were synthesized by reacting HPs with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) at NCO/OH ratio of 1.6:1. In the third step, the excess NCO content in the NCO‐capped PU prepolymers were reacted with atmospheric moisture and hyperbranched polyurethane (HPU) coatings were formed. The coating films were analyzed by FTIR and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis instruments. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2673–2688, 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of photocrosslinked poly(ε‐caprolactone)s showing shape‐memory properties

Poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) with a pendent coumarin group was prepared by solution polycondensation from 7‐(3,5‐dicarboxyphenyl) carbonylmethoxycoumarin dichloride and α, ω‐dihydroxy terminated poly(ε‐caprolactone) with molecular weights of 1250, 3000, and 10,000 g/mol. These photosensitive polymers underwent a rapid reversible photocrosslinking upon exposure to irradiation with alternating wavelengths (>280/254 nm) without a photoinitiator. The thermal and mechanical properties of the photocrosslinked films were examined by means of differential scanning calorimetry and stress–strain measurements. The crosslinked films exhibited elastic properties above the melting temperature of the PCL segment along with significant decrease in the ultimate tensile strength and Young's modulus. Shape‐memory properties such as strain fixity ratio (R_f) and strain recovery ratio (R_r) were determined by means of a cyclic thermomechanical tensile experiments under varying maximum strains (ε_m = 100, 300, and 500%). The crosslinked ICM/PCL‐3000 and ‐10,000 films exhibited the excellent shape‐memory properties in which both R_f and R_r values were 88–100% for tensile strain of 100–500%; after the deformation, the films recovered their permanent shapes instantaneously. In vitro degradation was performed in a phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.2) at 37 °C with or without the presence of Pseudomonas cepacia lipase. The presence of the pendent coumarin group and the crosslinking of the polymers pronouncedly decreased the degradation rate. The crosslinked biodegradable PCL showing a good shape‐memory property is promising as a new material for biomedical applications. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2422–2433, 2009     

DABCO‐functionalized polysulfones as anion‐exchange membranes for fuel cell applications: Effect of crosslinking

A series of DABCO‐functionalized polysulfones were synthesized and characterized. The effect that crosslinking has on the membrane properties containing different degrees of functionalization was evaluated. These polymers showed good thermal stability below the fuel cell operation temperature, T < 100 °C, reflected by the T_OD, T_FD, and thermal durability. The water uptake increased as the percentage of DABCO groups increased and the crosslinked membranes showed lower capacity to absorb water than the non‐crosslinked ones favoring thus the dimensional stability of the first ones. Membranes in the chloride form containing low degree of functionalization exhibited the highest tensile strength values. The ionic conductivity of non‐crosslinked membranes varied as a function of the functionalization degree until a value of around 100% achieving a maximum value at 86%. However, the crosslinked ones showed satisfactory ionic conductivities for values higher than 100%. The behavior of these polymeric materials in alkaline solutions revealed a great alkaline stability necessary to be used as solid electrolytes in fuel cells. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 1326–1336     

Efficacy of clay content and microstructure of curing agents on the structure–property relationship of new‐generation polyurethane nanocomposites

The physicomechanical properties of new polyurethanes (PUs) derived from toluene diisocyanate, poly(propylene glycol), and cured by third‐generation hyperbranched polyester polyol (HB3), trimethylolpropane (TMP), or glycerol and their nanocomposites have been investigated. An apparent microphase‐segregated morphology of PU nanocomposites cured by HB3 has been observed by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Morphological studies reveal regions of mostly exfoliated and some intercalated morphology in the case of the nanocomposites, which have been further ascertained by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The HB3‐cured PU nanocomposite containing 8 wt% of modified montmorillonite (Cloisite 30B) clay shows approximately 140% increase in tensile strength along with improvement in thermal and dynamic mechanical properties in comparison with the control hyperbranched PU. It has also been found from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis that the extent of tethering reactions between the polymer chains carrying residual –NCO groups and the reactive hydroxyl (?OH) groups of HB3 is significant, and the nanofiller has been found to preferentially react with the –NCO group of the prepolymer. Furthermore, the properties of HB3‐cured PU have been compared with the glycerol and TMP‐cured PUs and their nanocomposites. The physicomechanical and thermal properties for nanocomposites of HB3‐cured PUs are superior to those of the conventionally cured PUs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,characterization, and properties of polyurethanes containing 1,4:3,6‐dianhydro‐D‐sorbitol

Two‐ and three‐component polyurethanes containing 1,4:3,6‐dianhydro‐D ‐sorbitol (isosorbide) derived from glucose were synthesized using n‐BuSn(?O)OH·H₂O as a catalyst, and the thermal properties (T_g, T_d) of the polymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. We carried out molds for polyurethanes, the molds of polyurethanes were obtained. The dynamic mechanical analyzes showed that the storage modulus values of the three‐component polymers were constant to a higher temperature than those of the two‐component polymers. The storage moduli (E′), loss moduli (E″), and values of tan δ for the polymers were obtained. The rigidity of three‐component polymers was increased by the introduction of bisphenol A and diphenylmethane group to two‐component polymer. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6025–6031, 2009     

Investigation of thermal,mechanical, and electrical properties of novel polyurethanes/high molecular weight polybenzoxazine blends

In order to prepare tough polyurethane (PU) electrical insulator with improved thermal stability and electrical insulating properties, high molecular weight polybenzoxazine precursor was mixed and co‐cured with crosslinkable urethane prepolymers. Polybenzoxazine precursor (Bmda) was synthesized from reaction of bisphenol‐A, methylenedianiline, and paraformaldehyde. Epoxy‐terminated polyurethanes (EPU1‐4) were prepared by the reaction of glycidol with NCO‐terminated urethane oligomers. The oligomers were prepared from different molecular weight versions of polycaprolactone polyol (CAPA) and hexamethylene diisocyanate. Blends were prepared through thermal treatment of equal weights of two precursors dissolved in chloroform. Optimum curing condition was determined by DSC and DMTA analysis and measurement of the gel content for cured samples. Viscoelastic, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of cured samples were investigated and structure–property relationship was established. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of a novel epoxy resin containing naphthalene moiety and properties of its cured polymer with phenol novolac

A new epoxy resin (Bis-ENA) containing naphthalene structure linked with a 1,4-bis(isopropylidene)phenylene was synthesized and was confirmed by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. To estimate the effect of naphthalene moiety on the cured polymer, an epoxy resin (Bis-EP) having phenyl moiety was synthesized, and curing behaviors of Bis-ENA and Bis-EP with phenol novolac were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry. The incorporation of naphthalene structure into the resin backbone increased the curing temperature and reduced the curing reactivity. Thermal properties of the cured polymers obtained from Bis-ENA and Bis-EP with phenol novolac were examined by thermomechanical analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. Mechanical properties and moisture resistance were evaluated by flexural strength, flexural modulus, and moisture absorption measurements. The cured polymer obtained from Bis-ENA showed higher glass transition temperature, higher flexural modulus, lower thermal expansion, and lower moisture absorption than that from Bis-EP. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3063–3069, 1999     

Mechanical recoverability and damage process of ionic‐covalent PAAm‐alginate hybrid hydrogels

Hydrogels consisting of interpenetrating networks of ionically and covalently crosslinked polymers showed high toughness and mechanical recoverability as a result of the dissociation and re‐formation of ionic crosslinks. The present investigation aimed to provide a quantitative study on the mechanical recoverability and damage process of an example hybrid gel of calcium crosslinked alginate and covalently crosslinked polyacrylamide. Three series of load/unload tests were performed sequentially with the mechanical properties of the gel fully retrieved between the 2nd and 3rd load/unload series while only the partial recovery of mechanical properties was evident from the 1st to 2nd series. The load/unload curves in the three series were modeled by existing mechanical models, and the fitted model parameters clearly demonstrate a damage process for the hybrid gel. When a hybrid gel was deformed above its historic maximum strain, the shortest alginate chains were fully‐stretched, pulling apart the weak ionic crosslinks and dissipating fracture energy. Consequently, the strand density of the intact gel network was reduced and the contour length of the remaining next‐shortest load‐bearing alginate chains became longer. A log‐normal distribution was used to describe the probability distribution for the strand fracture and also to describe the strand length distribution of the ionic network. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 53–63     

Novel thermally latent self‐crosslinkable copolymers bearing oxetane and hemiacetal ester moieties: The synthesis,self‐crosslinking behavior,and thermal properties

Novel thermally latent self‐crosslinkable copolymers ( 14 and 15 ) containing hemiacetal ester and oxetane moieties were synthesized by the radical copolymerizations of 1‐propoxyethyl methacrylate, 3‐ethyl‐3‐methacryloyloxymethyl oxetane, and/or n‐butyl methacrylate at 60 °C in the presence of 2,2′‐azoisobutylonitrile as an initiator. The obtained copolymers showed good solubility for common organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The thermal crosslinking behaviors were examined with several Lewis acid catalysts ( 6 ). In particular, the treatment with aluminum‐2‐ethylhexanate triethanolamine complex ( 6c ) at 160 °C was found to efficiently yield the corresponding self‐crosslinked polymers ( 14′ and 15′ ). Incidentally, the resulting products were hardly insoluble in various organic solvents, including DMSO. The thermal properties of the obtained self‐crosslinked polymers 14′ and 15′ were estimated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4260–4270, 2005