Synthesis and properties of aqueous polyurethane dispersions: Influence of molecular weight of polyethylene glycol.

Aqueous polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) have recently emerged as important alternatives to their solvent-based counterparts for various applications due to increasing health and environmental awareness. A series of aqueous polyurethane dispersions containing carboxylate anion as hydrophilic pendant groups were synthesized through step growth polymerization reaction using hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO), dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) of different molecular weight. Effect of PEG molecular weight was investigated on molecular structure, contact angle measurement, and physical and adhesive properties of PU emulsions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to check the completion of polymerization reaction. Contact angle measurement indicated that the hydrophilicity of polymer increases by increasing molecular weight of PEG with a corresponding decrease in contact angle. Results of T-peel test showed a decrease in peel strength by increasing molecular weight of PEG. Moreover, solid contents%, drying time and storage stability suggested fast drying properties and greater stability of aqueous PU dispersions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]