Regulation of Hard Segment Cluster Structures for High-performance Poly(urethane-urea) Elastomers.

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Science
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Elastomers are essential in daily applications but face challenges in achieving simultaneous degradability, recyclability, high strength, toughness, and crack resistance.
• Developing advanced elastomers that meet these criteria is crucial for sustainable material development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel polycaprolactone-based poly(urethane-urea) elastomer with superior mechanical properties.
• To investigate the relationship between hard segment cluster arrangement and elastomer performance.
• To demonstrate the recyclability and degradability of the developed elastomer.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a polycaprolactone-based poly(urethane-urea) elastomer.
• Optimization of hard segment cluster arrangement using specific chain extenders.
• Characterization of mechanical properties including strength, toughness, and fracture energy.
• Evaluation of recyclability and degradability.

Main Results:

• The optimized elastomer achieved high strength (63.3 MPa), excellent toughness (431 MJ m⁻³), and outstanding fracture energy (489 kJ m⁻²).
• Long alkyl chains in chain extenders resulted in small, evenly distributed hard segment clusters, enhancing mechanical properties.
• The material exhibited multiple hydrogen bond structures and stress-induced crystallization.
• The elastomer demonstrated good recyclability and degradability.

Conclusions:

• The polycaprolactone-based poly(urethane-urea) elastomer offers a promising combination of high performance and sustainability.
• Optimizing hard segment morphology is key to achieving superior mechanical characteristics in elastomers.
• This work contributes to the development of advanced, eco-friendly materials for diverse applications.