The effects of the molecular weight and structure of polycarbonatediols on the properties of waterborne polyurethanes

Abstract

A series of waterborne polyurethanes (WPUs) were synthesized by a pre-polymer process from isophorone diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate and polycarbonatediol with varying molecular weight (1000–2000 Da) and molecular structure (copolycarbonate and homopolycarbonate). The effect of polycarbonatediols on the performance of the emulsion was studied by means of apparent viscosity, particle size distribution and Zeta potential analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, dynamic mechanical analysis, physical and mechanical measurements and water droplet contact angle tests were employed to characterize the thermal stability, crystallinity, low temperature flexibility, physical and mechanical properties and wettability of the films derived from the emulsions. The results indicated that WPU dispersions with mean particle size in the range of 50–70 nm and Zeta potential value about −50 mV displayed excellent storage stability. It was found that the mean particle size, thermal stability, crystallinity, low temperature flexibility, mechanical properties and hydrophobicity increased and the particle distribution decreased with the increase of molecular weight of the polycarbonatediols. Moreover, copolycarbonate-based WPUs showed higher crystallinity of hard segments, thermal stability and wettability than the homopolycarbonate-based ones.