Hybrid Poly(hydroxy urethane)s: Folded-Sheet Morphology and Thermoreversible Adhesion

Abstract

Hybrid poly(hydroxy urethane)s (PHUs) are synthesized by copolymerizing aromatic/alicyclic cyclic carbonates with a polyether amine via addition polymerization. They result into polymers with an average molecular weight of 10 kDa and exhibit solubility in common organic solvents. The hybrid PHUs display Tg up to 18 °C. PHUs are enriched with multiple H-bonded interactions and they are assessed using temperature-dependent 1H NMR and Fourier-transform infrared studies. PHUs possess folded-sheet morphology with nanogap between folds and nanowidth between chains. The secondary interactions bestow thermoreversible property to PHUs, and they display good adhesion to both polar (Al-Al) and nonpolar (HDPE-HDPE) substrates. Hybrid PHUs show improved optical transparency compared to homo PHUs. The PHUs are thermally stable up to 250 °C.