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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Published on: December 16, 2022

Depolymerization behavior of thermoplastic poly(urethane) (TPU) and its dependence on initial molecular weight.

W W G J van Pelt¹, J G P Goossens

¹Laboratory of Polymer Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

Analytica Chimica Acta

|November 7, 2007

Summary

Lowering molecular weight in thermoplastic poly(urethane) (TPU) increases its ceiling temperature and accelerates depolymerization. This behavior is linked to reduced polymerization entropy in lower molecular weight TPUs.

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Area of Science:

Polymer Science
Materials Chemistry

Background:

Thermoplastic poly(urethane) (TPU) is a versatile polymer with applications in various industries.
Understanding the depolymerization behavior of TPU is crucial for recycling and material design.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the depolymerization characteristics of thermoplastic poly(urethane) (TPU).
To determine the effect of starting molecular weight on TPU depolymerization kinetics and thermodynamics.

Main Methods:

Temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.

Main Results:

Depolymerization behavior of TPU (composed of MDI, HD, and HEX) was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed.
Lowering the starting molecular weight of TPU resulted in a higher ceiling temperature.
Reduced molecular weight led to a faster decrease in molecular weight with increasing temperature post-depolymerization.

Conclusions:

The ceiling temperature of TPU is influenced by its initial molecular weight.
Lower molecular weight TPUs exhibit altered depolymerization kinetics, attributed to reduced polymerization entropy.