Structure–Property Relationship of Castor Oil-Based PU–PBMA Interpenetrating Polymer Networks

Abstract

Castor oil-based polyurethane (PU) and polybutyl methacrylate (PBMA) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) (PU/PBMA; 80/20, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60 and 20/80) have been prepared by sequential polymerization. The prepared IPNs have been characterized by physico-mechanical and optical properties. The thermal behaviour of IPNs were performed using thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA). TGA thermogram shows that the thermal degradation of PU–PBMA IPN was found to proceed in three different steps. The microcrystalline parameters such as crystal size (hNi) and lattice disorder (g) of IPNs have been estimated using wide angle X-ray scattering studies (WAXS), and quantification of the polymer network has been carried on the basis of these parameters.