Synthesis of cross-linked polyurethane with self-healing properties

Abstract

Prepolymer synthesized from toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) (hard segment), and polypropylene glycol (PPG-2000) (soft segment) was end-capped with difurfurylamine groups. A new cross-linked self-healing polyurethane was obtained via Diels-Alder reaction of the en-capped prepolymer with N,N'-bismaleimido-4,4'-diphenylmethane (BMI). Thermal reversibility of the Diels-Alder reaction (DA-reaction) between terminal furanic rings of the polyurethane prepolymer and bismaleimide cross-linking agent designed to be responsible for self-healing. Polymers were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis (DSC and TGA). Thermal reversibility of the DA-bonds in the cross-linked polymer was confirmed by DSC. The synthesized polymer has good processability and potential recyclability.