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Synthesis, characterization, and stability of poly[(alkylene oxide) ester] thermoplastic elastomers
Author(s) -
Mccarthy Simon J.,
Meijs Gordon F.,
Gunatillake Pathiraja
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4628(19970815)65:7<1319::aid-app10>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - polymer chemistry , polyester , condensation polymer , differential scanning calorimetry , materials science , thermal stability , gel permeation chromatography , ether , oxide , chemistry , organic chemistry , polymer , physics , thermodynamics
Abstract Poly(ether ester) block copolymers were prepared using a transesterification/polycondensation bulk synthesis with systematic control of the terephthalic acid/butane‐diol aromatic diester block (`hard segment') and with poly(tetramethylene oxide) [PTMO], poly(hexamethylene oxide) [PHMO], or poly(decamethylene oxide) [PDMO] poly(alkylene oxide) soft segments. The respective number average molecular weights were 980, 930, and 940 Da. A series of the poly(ether ester)s with hard segment fractions of 25, 29, 37, and 51% were prepared. One example of the PDMO polyester was prepared at a 51% hard segment fraction. The polyesters were characterized using viscometry, gel permeation chromatography, 1 H‐NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and tensile testing. The novel poly(ether ester)s, the PTMO polyester, and the commercial control, Hytrel® 4056, were compared for their resistance to degradation in a 50% aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution at 37°C, boiling water buffered at pH 1 and 13, an oxygen stream at 200°C, and a nitrogen stream at 200°C. The Hytrel® 4056 and the PTMO polyesters fragmented in hydrogen peroxide within 24 h while the PHMO and PDMO polyesters were much less degraded. Resistance to hydrolytic and thermal degradation increased as the ratio of aliphatic methylene to ether increased: PTMO < PHMO < PDMO. Samples containing higher hard segment fractions demonstrated improved resistance to hydrolysis. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65:1319–1332, 1997