Study on Degradable Polyurethane Foams with Mixed PEG/PCL and PLA/PCL Soft Segments

Abstract:

Through inclusion of different polymer chains with different properties into polyurethane matrix, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), or poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTMG), degradable polyurethane foams (PUFs) with different molecular structure were prepared. Influences of molecular structure on PUF materials’ performance were studied systematically. When PEG, PCL, PLA, and PTMG serve as soft segment, PUFs’ storage modulus and glass transition temperature (Tg) of PUFs decrease with following order: PLA>PCL>PEG>PTMG (flexibility of PUFs varies oppositely). And degradability decreases according to following order: PEG>PLA>PCL>PTMG. With increasing content of PEG or PLA chains in PU matrix, mechanical performance of PUFs decrease gradually, but remains on the same order with conventional non-degradable PUFs. Through control on the contents of different kinds of polymer chains in soft segments of PUFs, fairly good degradability can be achieved, at whilst their basic mechanical performance is well guaranteed.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 518-523)
• Pages: 821-827
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.518-523.821
• Online since: May 2012
• Authors: Jian Hua Wang, Shuen Liang, Chun Rong Tian, Xiu Li Zhao, Xiao Yan Lin
• Keywords: Degradability, Mechanical Performance, Molecular Structure, Polyurethane Foam

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