Interpenetrating polymer networks from castor oil-based polyurethane and polystyrene

Abstract

Two component interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of castor oil based polyurethanes (PU) and polystyrene (PS) were prepared by sequential polymerization. The liquid polyureathane were prepared by reacting hydroxyl groups of castor oil with methylene diisocyanate (MDI). These polyurethanes were swollen in polystyrene monomer and subsequently polymerised by radical polymerization initiated with benzoyl peroxide in the presence of the crosslinking agent divinyl benzene (DVB). A series of interpenetrating polymer networks (PU/PS IPNs) were obtained as tough films by casting in glass moulds. The characteristics of these films were determined: resistance to chemical reagents, thermal behaviour (TGA), tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation at break (%). The morphology was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).