XPS and ATR surface studies of block copolyurethanes based on 1,2-ethylene bis(4-phenyl isocyanate)

The surface properties of two block copolyurethanes based on 1,2-ethylene bis(4-phenyl isocyanate) (P2PDI), poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) (PTMG) or poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), and ethylene diamine, were investigated by attenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The air-facing surfaces (AFS) of both materials are more abundant in the PPG or PTMG soft segment. More PTMG present on AFS indicates that the PTMG soft segment is more hydrophobic than PPG. Besides, the ATR spectra revealed that more phase mixing occurs in the near-surface region than in the bulk and the domain/matrix interface tends to orient to this region for both samples.     

Mechanical Properties and Thermal Degradation Kinetics of a Novel Thermally Stable Thermoplastic Poly(ester-ether) Elastomer Containing N′N-Bis(2-carboxymethyl) Pyromellitimide Unit

A novel thermally stable thermoplastic poly(ester-ether) (PEE) elastomer containing imide units was prepared from poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG1000), 1,4-butanediol (BD) and a new imide dicarboxylic acid based on pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and glycine through a traditional chemical two-step method. The structures of the synthesized imide dicarboxylic acid and novel PEE were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The mechanical properties of the novel PEE were investigated. Thermal stability and thermal degradation kinetics of the novel PEE were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under different heating rates. The kinetic parameters of the degradation process were determined by using Kissinger, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and Friedman methods. The Coats–Redfern method was also used to discuss the probable degradation mechanism of this PEE. The results showed that introduction of the imide units into the poly(ester-ether) endowed the PEE with excellent thermal stability and good mechanical properties. The activation energy obtained by using the Kissinger method was in agreement with that using the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method. The reaction order (n) and pre-exponential factor (A) were obtained by using the Friedman method. Analysis of the experimental results suggests that the decomposition reaction mechanism of the PEE was a F₃ type (random nucleation with three nuclei on the individual particle).     

Preparation of bow tie–type methacrylated poly(caprolactone‐co‐lactic acid) scaffolds: effect of collagen modification on cell growth

A branched methacrylated poly(caprolactone‐co‐lactic acid) and methacrylated poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) (PTMG‐IEM) resins were synthesized. ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography confirmed the chemical structures of copolymers. The photoinitiated polymerization of formulation composed of various amounts of methacrylated poly(caprolactone‐co‐lactic acid), PTMG‐IEM, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, water, and photoinitiator were performed. The curing reactions were followed by photo‐DSC (Differential scanning calorimetry). Gel fraction was calculated from the insoluble part and found as ≥93%. Swelling and contact angles were measured, and all increased with the increasing amount of PTMG‐IEM in network formulations. In vitro degradation studies were performed at 37 °C in phosphate‐buffered saline (pH 7.4). Collagen‐modified polymers were also prepared and introduced as a bioactive moiety to modify the polymer to enhance cell affinity. To compare the cell adhesion affinity to the polymer with and without collagen, cell growth experiments were performed. The results showed that collagen improves the cell adhesion onto the polymer surface. With the increasing amount of collagen, cell viability increases 86% (ECV304, p < 0.05) and 83% (3 T3, p < 0.05). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of polyether mixtures using thin-layer chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) were combined to achieve characterization of polyether mixtures. Three polyethers, polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PPG) and polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG), or mixtures of these compounds, were studied. One shortcoming of mixture analysis of synthetic polymers using MALDI-MS is that individual polymers in the mixture may display different detection sensitivities. For example, the MALDI mass spectrum of an equimolar mixture of PEG, PPG and PTMG displayed a high intensity of PPG ions, while no PTMG ions were detectable; however, PTMG ions were detected after the mixture had been separated by TLC. This combined TLC and MALDI-MS analysis of a PPG polymer bearing reactive epoxy groups showed that the polymer contained byproducts with different end-groups. These byproducts were identified as chloro-substituted polymers formed during polymer synthesis. Our study shows TLC to be a rapid and low-cost separation technique, and that it can be combined with MALDI-MS to achieve effective analysis of synthetic polymers.     

主链含酰亚胺环和炔基的聚酰亚胺型聚氨酯弹性体的合成及阻燃性能

以均苯四甲酸酐、 D,L-苯丙氨酸和1,4-丁炔二醇为原料合成了一种含有酰亚胺环和炔基的二醇, 并以其为扩链剂, 采用预聚体法, 与4,4-二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯(MDI)和聚四氢呋喃醚二醇(PTMG)反应, 合成了不同硬段含量的主链含有酰亚胺环和炔基的热塑性聚酰亚胺型聚氨酯弹性体. 用红外光谱(FTIR)、 电子拉力机、 热失重分析(TG)、 广角X射线衍射(XRD)、 UL-94垂直燃烧和极限氧指数对聚酰亚胺型聚氨酯弹性体进行了表征. 结果表明, 这种聚氨酯呈现出无定形结构; 其拉伸强度随着硬段含量的增加而增大; 与传统的热塑性聚氨酯相比, 酰亚胺环和炔基改性的聚酰亚胺型聚氨酯弹性体的热分解过程非常缓慢, 呈现出较好的热稳定性; 不同硬段含量的聚酰亚胺型聚氨酯弹性体的UL-94垂直燃烧均达到V-2级别; 其极限氧指数随着硬段含量的增加而增大.     

主链含酰亚胺环和炔基的聚酰亚胺型聚氨酯弹性体的合成及阻燃性能简

以均苯四甲酸酐、D,L-苯丙氨酸和1,4-丁炔二醇为原料合成了一种含有酰亚胺环和炔基的二醇,并以其为扩链剂,采用预聚体法,与4,4-二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯(MDI)和聚四氢呋喃醚二醇(PTMG)反应,合成了不同硬段含量的主链含有酰亚胺环和炔基的热塑性聚酰亚胺型聚氨酯弹性体. 用红外光谱(FTIR)、电子拉力机、热失重分析(TG)、广角X射线衍射(XRD)、UL-94垂直燃烧和极限氧指数对聚酰亚胺型聚氨酯弹性体进行了表征. 结果表明,这种聚氨酯呈现出无定形结构;其拉伸强度随着硬段含量的增加而增大;与传统的热塑性聚氨酯相比,酰亚胺环和炔基改性的聚酰亚胺型聚氨酯弹性体的热分解过程非常缓慢,呈现出较好的热稳定性;不同硬段含量的聚酰亚胺型聚氨酯弹性体的UL-94垂直燃烧均达到V-2级别;其极限氧指数随着硬段含量的增加而增大.     

New synthetic route of polyoxytetramethyleneglycol by use of heteropolyacids as catalyst

Polyoxytetramethyleneglycol (PTMG) can be directly prepared from tetrahydrofuran (THF) and water in the presence of heteropolyacids (HPA), without the hydrolysis step. The reaction is carried out by mixing two liquid phases: the THF phase and a heteropolyacid catalyst phase. In this reaction the molar ratio of water to a heteropolyacid (H₂O/HPA) in the catalyst phase plays an important role in the THF polymerization activity and the molecular weight of PTMG. IR spectrometric studies revealed that THF is coordinated to a heteropolyanion through either a water molecule or a proton in the catalyst phase. The latter type of coordination bings about the activation of THF capable of initiating the ring-opening polymerization even in the presence of water at a lower acid strength. The PTMG prepared by this method has a narrow molecular weight distribution (M?_w/M?_n = 1.5 or less) and a number average molecular weight of 500–2000 which are requisite for the production of polyurethane elastomers. A new polymerization mechanism named “Phase Transfer Polymerization” is proposed for elucidating a narrow molecular weight distribution.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel degradable photocrosslinked poly(ether‐anhydride) networks

New degradable poly(ether‐anhydride) networks were synthesized by UV photopolymerization. Dicarboxylated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG) was reacted with an excess of methacrylic anhydride to form dimethacrylated macromers containing anhydride linkages. The percent of conversion for the macromer formation was more than 80% at 60 °C after 24 h. ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopies show the presence of anhydride linkages in the macromer. In vitro degradation studies were carried out at 37 °C in PBS with crosslinked polymer networks formed by UV irradiation. All PEG‐based polymers degraded within 2 days, while PTMG‐based polymers degraded by 50% of the initial weight after 14 days. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1277–1282, 2000     

Preparation,Mechanical Properties and Thermal Degradation Kinetics of a Novel Poly(ester-ether-imide) Elastomer Based on N′,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-Pyromellitimide Unit

A novel poly(ester-ether-imide) (PEEI) based on N′,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-pyromellitimide unit was synthesized via a conventional two-stage procedure with 1,4-butanediol (BD), dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG1000). The structures of imide dihydric alcohol and PEEI were confirmed by FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectra, respectively. The thermal properties and mechanical properties were investigated. The results show PEEI possesses good mechanical properties and excellent thermal stability with the 5% weight loss temperature of the PEEI at 367.3°C, and melting temperature of hard segments (T_mh) at 209.7°C. In addition, the kinetic parameters of thermal degradation of the PEEI were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at different heating rates. The activation energy of the solid-state process was determined to be 174.83 and 175.83 kJ/mol using Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods, respectively. The degradation mechanism model of PEEI was determined bythe Coats-Redfern method. Compared with the values obtained from the Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods, the actual reaction mechanism of the novel PEEI is a F₁ type (Random nucleation with one nucleus on the individual particle nucleation) and growth model with integral g(a)=?ln(1?a)).     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ether-urethane)s derived from 3,6-diisobutyl-2,5-diketopiperazine and PTMG and study of their degradability in environment

3,6-diisobutyl-2,5-diketopiperazine (DIBDKP) was prepared from L-Leucine with good yield. Then a new class of biodegradable poly(ether-urethane)s (PEUs) was synthesized by the pre-polymerization reaction of DIBDKP with 4,4-methylene-bis-(4-phenylisocyanate) (MDI). Prepolymer reacted with poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG) with molecular weight of 1000 (PTMG-1000) to obtain a series of new poly(ether-urethane-urea)s (PEUU)s. These multiblock copolymers are biodegradable and thermally stable. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these polymers before and after degradation in soil, river water and sludge are reported. The environmental degradation of the polymer films was investigated by SEM, FT-IR, TGA, DSC, GPC and XRD techniques. A significant rate of degradation was occurred in PEU samples under river water and sludge condition. The polymeric films were not toxic to Escherichia coli (Gram negative), Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus (Gram positive) bacteria and showed good biofilm formation on polymer surface. Our results show that hard segment degraded selectively as much as soft segment and these polymers are susceptible to degradation in soil and water.     

Polyurethanes containing sulfur. III. New thermoplastic HDI-based segmented polyurethanes with diphenylmethane unit in their structure

Three series of new thermoplastic, high molecular weight, segmented thiopolyurethanes were synthesized by a one-step melt polymerization from newly obtained thiodiols, including bis[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)thiomethylphenyl]methane, bis[4-(3-hydroxypropyl)thiomethylphenyl]methane, and bis[4-(6-hydroxyhexyl)thiomethylphenyl]methane (BHHM), as chain extenders; hexamethylene diisocyanate; and 20–80 mol % poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol (PTMG; number-average molecular weight = 1000) as the soft segment. Solution polymerization with the chain extender BHHM gave considerably lower molecular weight polymers. The structures of all the polyurethanes were determined with Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction analysis. The thermal properties of the polyurethanes were examined with differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Shore A/D hardness and tensile properties were also determined. All the polyurethanes showed partially crystalline structures; those obtained with 40–80 mol % PTMG were elastomers. An increase in the PTMG content decreased hardness, modulus of elasticity, and tensile strength, whereas elongation at break increased. BHHM-based polyurethanes obtained in the melt showed the best tensile properties. The polyurethanes exhibited definite glass transitions (−70 to −59 °C) that were nearly independent of the hard-segment content up to about 50 wt % (40–80 mol % PTMG), indicating the existence of mainly microphase-separated soft and hard segments. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1733–1742, 2001     

Analysis of thermal degradation of diacetylene-containing polyurethane copolymers

This work investigates the thermal degradation of diacetylene-containing polyurethane (PUDA) copolymers that consist of 2,4-hexadiyene-1,6-diol (DA), 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG), by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and TGA coupled with Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (TG-FTIR). The results of TGA at different heating rates and under various annealing conditions demonstrated that the PUBD and PUDA copolymers underwent three stages of degradation. These stages of degradation of PUBD copolymers differed from those in earlier works, in which two stages of degradation were proposed. The three stages of degradation of PUBD and PUDA copolymers involved four and five steps of degradation, respectively, as revealed by TG-FTIR, which identified the main decomposition products, CO₂, tetrahydrofuran and ether-containing olefin. The effect of the cross-linked network of diacetylene-containing hard segments on the degradation of PUDA copolymers was investigated under various annealed conditions. Annealing at a high temperature for a long time promote the PUDA TG and DTG curves shifting to a higher temperature region, but the effect on the temperature does not obviously increase as the annealing further performed at 80-160 °C for a long time. This event is caused by the cross-linked networks inhibiting further cross-polymerization in the diacetylene-containing hard-segmented domains.     

Unsaturated poly(ester-imide)s from hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene, dianhydride and diisocyanate

Hydroxy terminated polybutadiene has been used for the first time in the synthesis of poly(ester-imide)s [P(E-I)s]. Anhydride terminated polyester prepolymers were prepared by the reaction of two different polyols--polytetramethyleneoxide glycol (PTMG) of molecular weight 1000 and hydroxy terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) of molecular weight 2500--and different dianhydrides--pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and 4,4^′-(hexafluoroiso-propylidene)diphthalic anhydride (HFDA). The prepolymers were then reacted with different diisocyanates--80:20 mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 4,4^′-methylene bis(phenylisocyanate) (MDI) resulting in P(E-I)s. The P(E-I)s were characterised by FT-IR, FT-NMR, GPC, TGA, DSC and for static and dynamic mechanical properties. The polymers based on PTMG showed two distinct melting points and behave as thermoplastic elastomers. The thermal stability and mechanical properties of P(E-I)s based on HTPB were substantially higher than those based on PTMG.     

Effect of Organoclays on Silicate Layer Structures and Thermal Stabilities of in-situ Polymerized Poly(D-lactide)/Clay Nanocomposites

Six kinds of organoclays were prepared through three kinds of polyols (PTMG, PEA and PCL) to investigate the effects of molecular weight and the chemical structure of organifiers. PTMG based organoclays showed higher ion-exchanged fraction than other organoclays and long chain organifier showed better efficiency in ion-exchanged fraction in the case of PTMG based organifiers. From WAXD and TEM analysis, it was confirmed that PTMG based organoclays formed partially exfoliated or fully exfoliated silicate layer structures. PDLA/clay nanocomposites were prepared by in-situ ring-opening polymerization of D-lactide with PTMG based organoclays as macro-initiators in the presence of equimolar Sn(Oct)₂/PPh₃ complex catalysts. The molecular weight of PDLA/clay nanocomposite decreased as increasing the feeding amount of organoclay because organoclay had hydroxyl terminal groups which can initiate the ring-opening polymerization of D-lactide. From TGA analysis, thermal stabilities of PDLA/clay nanocomposites improved with increasing organoclay content. From WAXD and TEM analysis, organoclay which was prepared by high molecular weight of PTMG based organifier was effective on the exfoliation of silicate layers in the in-situ polymerized PDLA/clay nanocomposite.     

Triple shape memory effect in multiple crystalline polyurethanes

Remembering more than one permanent shape is an attractive research topic for shape memory materials (SMMs). In this paper, multiple crystalline shape memory polyurethanes (SMPUs) are prepared with PCL10000 and PTMG2900 by a three‐step polymerization method. DSC and WAXD results show that the obtained polyurethane contains, simultaneously and independently, two kinds of crystals. In addition, it is confirmed through DMA analysis that reversible soft phase and hard domains are formed in the PCL‐PTMG based SMPU system; and two‐step modulus decreases at low temperature range can be obtained in the SMPU with suitable mass proportion of PCL to PTMG, e.g., 1:7. Thus, shape memory effect (SME) can be achieved in this system. Moreover, it is found that the PTMG soft segment dominates the shape memory effect when the PCL mass is lower than that of PTMG; while the PCL soft segment dominates the SME when PCL mass is higher than that of PTMG; and a two‐step programing shape recovery can be achieved when the mass proportion of PCL/PTMG reaches a balance value, e.g., 3:5. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of side groups of polymer glycol on microphase‐separated structure and mechanical properties of polyurethane elastomers

The effect of side methyl and dimethyl groups of the soft segment component on the microphase‐separated structure and mechanical properties of polyurethane elastomers (PUEs) was investigated. Poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol (PTMG), and PTMG incorporating dimethyl groups (PTG‐X) and methyl side groups (PTG‐L) were used as a polymer glycol, which forms a soft segment in the PUEs. The PUEs were synthesized with 4,4′‐dipheylmethane diisocyanate [1,1′‐methylenebis(4‐isocyanatobenzene)], 1,4‐butane diol, and 1,1,1‐trimethylol propane by a prepolymer method. The degree of microphase separation of the PUEs became weaker with increasing side group content in polymer glycols. Dynamic viscoelastic properties measurement showed reorganized‐crystallization and melting of the soft segment for the PUEs based on PTMG, PTG‐L, and PTG‐X with a lower content of the side groups, but not for a PTG‐L and PTG‐X with higher content of the side groups. Tensile testing revealed that increasing methyl group concentration made the PUEs soften and weaken. The PTMG‐based PUEs obviously exhibited strain‐induced crystallization of the soft segment chains during elongation process. In contrast, for the PTG‐L and PTG‐X‐based PUEs, crystallinity decreased with increasing side group content, and the PUEs with PTG‐L and PTG‐X with highest methyl group content did not crystallize even at a large strain. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2054–2063, 2008     

用三氟化硼引发体系制备聚丁二醇

分子量在3000以下特别是1000或2000的聚丁二醇(PTMG)是制备嵌段聚醚聚氨酯及嵌段聚醚聚醋弹性体的重要软段原料。用三氟化硼(BF_3)体系引发制备PTMG巳有报道,但尚难在工业上采用,主要是引发效率低。前已报道,BF_3-环氧氯丙烷(ECH)体系的引发效率比BF_3-环氧乙烷(EO)体系高2.5～6倍,比BF_3-环氧丙烷(PO)体系高2～3倍。本文用BF_3-ECH为引发体系,并用水为分子量调节剂制备分子量1000或2000的PTMG,测     

Nonclassical Urea Oligomers. VII. Binding Specificity of Carbanilido-ethylenimine Oligomer: Absorption Behavior in Suspension

Polyester elastomers were prepared by block copolymerization of dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), butanediol (BDO), and polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG). Polyester from DMT and butanediol forms a high-melting hard segment in block copolyester to prevent undue chain slippage when fibers are stretched. High elongation was provided by soft segment which consisted of condensation product from DMT and PTMG.

Experiments were carried out to determine the effect of composition variables on the properties of these elastomers, such as glass transition temperature, elongation at break, tenacity, and elastic recovery. The study on molecular characteristics of the elastic polyester showed that a leather-like region exists between glassy and rubbery regions. These elastomers were melt-spun to give elastic fibers which are competitive with commercially available Spandex-type fibers.     

Polyether-polyester and HMDI Based Polyurethanes:Effect of PLLA Content on Structure and Property

Thermoplastic poly(ether-ester-urethane)s were synthesized from poly(L-lactide) diols (PLLA diols),polytetrahydrofuran diol(PTMG diols),4,4'-dicyclohexylmetlhane diisocyanate (HMDI),and 1,4-butanediol (BDO) by a two-step reaction,and the morphology and property of the resultant TPU could be adjusted by varying the PLLA contents.The soft segment was composed of PLLA and PTMG diols.By controlling the percentage of PLLA in the soft segment,the glass transition temperature and mechanical properties of the polyurethanes could be regulated.Based on the FTIR spectrum,we found that two kinds of hydrogen bonding existed individually in soft matrix and hard domain.The hydrogen bonding in soft matrix was unstable,which could be destroyed during elongation.With in situ stretching WAXS and SAXS experiments,we found that the PLLA crystal was destroyed and the PLLA domain oriented along the stretch direction.Finally,we proposed a schematic model to illustrate the microstructures of these elastomers before and after stretch.     

PTMG-Modified MWCNT/PTMG-based polyurethane nanocomposites: Strong interaction and homogeneous dispersion

Soft and flexible chains of poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG) were covalently grafted with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). FE-SEM images showed that the polyether PTMG formed a surrounding shell around the nanotubes with about 5 nm in thickness. The modified nanotubes (MWCNT-PTMG) were then loaded into an in situ prepared polyurethane elastomer (PUE) with different loading contents below 1 wt %. In addition to the modifier of MWCNT, polyether PTMG was also used for preparing the polyurethane matrix. Thermal analyses (TG/DTG and DTA) showed two endothermic phase transitions in associated with the two main thermo-degradations of the resulting PUE nanocomposites. Moreover, DMA technique exhibited an appreciable increase in the T _g values due to a strong interaction between PTMG-modified MWCNT and PTMG-based PUE matrix.