Synthesis and Characterization of New Polycarbonate-Based Poly(thiourethane-urethane)s

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Segmented poly(thiourethane-urethane)s (PTURs) are advanced polymers with tunable properties.
• Understanding the structure-property relationships in PTURs is crucial for developing new materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel segmented PTURs using a one-step melt polyaddition method.
• To investigate the influence of hard segment content on the thermal, mechanical, optical, and surface properties of PTURs.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis via one-step melt polyaddition of HMDI, PCD, and a dimethanethiol.
• Characterization using FTIR, GPC, DSC, TGA, and DMTA.
• Evaluation of tensile strength, refractive index, UV-VIS, color, contact angle, surface free energy, and copper adhesion.

Main Results:

• FTIR confirmed polymer structure and complete isocyanate conversion.
• PTURs exhibited good thermal stability (TGA).
• DSC and DMTA indicated that materials were amorphous, with decreasing microphase separation as hard segment content increased.
• Hardness, tensile strength, modulus, storage modulus, copper adhesion, refractive index, and surface free energy all increased with higher hard segment content.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized PTURs demonstrate tunable properties based on hard segment content.
• Increased hard segment content leads to improved mechanical and adhesive properties, making them suitable for demanding applications.
• The amorphous nature and reduced microphase separation at higher hard segment content offer further material design possibilities.