Sequential semi-interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyurethane and polystyrene

The formation of microheterogeneous sequential semi-interpenetrating polymer networks based on network polyurethanes with different molecular masses of chain segments between crosslinks and a linear polystyrene has been studied by DSC and small-angle X-ray scattering. It has been shown that variation in the molecular mass of polymer segments between polyurethane network junctions affects the formation of the linear component of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks. As a result, the material structure may change in a wide range from a nearly single-phase system to a two-phase one. SAXS measurements indicate that there is a cymbate dependence between the degree of segregation of components of sequential semi-interpenetrating polymer networks and their microheterogeneous structure on the internetwork space. Two hierarchical heterogeneity levels are found to exist in polymer networks, and the features of each of these levels are analyzed.