Synthesis and thermal studies of block copolymers from NR and MDI‐based polyurethanes

Abstract

AbstractFive series of block copolymers based on natural rubber and polyurethane were prepared from hydroxyl terminated liquid natural rubber (HTNR) and polyurethane (PU) formed by the reaction of diphenyl methane—4,4′—diisocyanate (MDI) with a chain extender diol, viz., ethylene glycol (EG)/propylene glycol (PG)/1,4‐butane diol (1,4‐BDO)/1,3‐butane diol (1,3‐BDO)/bisphenol A (BPA), by solution polymerization. Structural characterization of the block copolymers was done by infrared (IR) analysis. Thermal studies and kinetic analysis on thermal degradation of the block copolymers were undertaken with the view of characterizing them. Energy of activation and entropy change for the degradation were determined and a probable mechanism for the solid state degradation was suggested which corresponds to a three dimensional diffusion mechanism. DSC analysis has been used for the study of microphase separation in the block copolymers. Thermal transition of the hard segment significantly varies with the extender diol which highlights the effect of extender diol structure on the chain stiffening mechanism. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009