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Multi-Scale Hydrogen Bonding and Microphase Separation Synergistically Engineered Polyurethane-Polyurea (PU-PUa) as
Hao Wu1, Xiaobao Chen1, Yi Chi1,2
1School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, 22 South Shaoshan Rd., Changsha 410075, China.
Polymers
|July 28, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a new polyurethane-polyurea (PU-PUa) pavement binder designed for resilient infrastructure. The novel material offers tunable mechanical properties and enhanced durability, addressing the need for sustainable pavement solutions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
Background:
- Modern pavement materials require enhanced resilience and sustainability due to extreme climate events and infrastructure demands.
- Existing pavement binders often lack the necessary durability and adaptability for next-generation infrastructure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a novel polyurethane-polyurea (PU-PUa) copolymer as a high-performance pavement binder.
- To investigate the structure-property relationships of the PU-PUa binder, focusing on nanoscale phase separation and hydrogen bonding.
- To evaluate the mechanical performance, workability, and environmental adaptability of the developed PU-PUa binder.
Main Methods:
- One-step synthesis of PU-PUa copolymer using aliphatic isocyanate, polyaspartic ester, polytetramethylene ether glycol, and 1,4-butanediol.
- Characterization using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA).
- Evaluation of rheological properties, surface hydrophobicity (contact angle goniometry), curing kinetics, hardness, aggregate adhesion, and tensile performance.
Main Results:
- The PU-PUa copolymer exhibited distinct nanoscale phase separation and a hierarchical hydrogen-bonding network.
- Tunable properties were achieved by adjusting soft segment content (SSC), including viscosity, surface hydrophobicity, and mechanical strength (tensile strength: 6.4–17.8 MPa, elongation at break: 90–161%).
- The binder demonstrated excellent hardness (>80 Shore A), superior aggregate adhesion (>2 MPa), and good moisture damage resistance.
Conclusions:
- The developed PU-PUa binder offers a molecular-to-macroscopic design strategy for creating resilient and durable pavement infrastructures.
- The tunable nature of the PU-PUa copolymer allows for optimization of processing workability and resistance to environmental factors.
- This novel material presents a promising alternative for sustainable and high-performance pavement applications.
