Poly(ε-caprolactone) Diols (HOPCLOH) and Their Poly(ester-urethanes) (PEUs): The Effect of Linear Aliphatic Diols [HO–(CH2)m–OH] as Initiators

Abstract

ABSTRACTα,ω-Hydroxy telechelic poly(ε-caprolactones) were prepared by ring-opening polymerization of the ε-caprolactone catalyzed by ammonium decamolybdate in the presence of different aliphatic diols [HO–(CH2)m–OH, where m = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16] as initiators to obtain a family of α,ω-hydroxy telechelic poly(ε-caprolactone) [HO–PCL–O–(CH2)m–O–PCL–OH, m = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16]. The content of the alkyl group (AG) (–(CH2)m–) had an important effect on the crystallinity (xi) of α,ω-hydroxy telechelic poly(ε-caprolactone), showing a proportional relationship. In poly(ester-urethanes) derived from α,ω-hydroxy telechelic poly(ε-caprolactones) and 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, the AG also showed a similar effect on the xi and eventually on the mechanical properties, increasing the values of the modulus. Therefore, AG content was a factor to induce a plastic behavior in poly(ester-urethanes). The effect of AG on the water uptake of poly(ester-urethanes) after 1 week was negligible.