Thermal degradation of carboxylate‐based polyurethane anionomers

Abstract

Abstract With the purpose of elucidating the thermal degradation process of carboxylated polyurethane anionomers (PUAs), characterization of PUAs containing potassium and magnesium salts was conducted using thermogravimetry and FTIR spectroscopy. Potassium salt in PUA induced pronounced acceleration on the thermal degradation of urethane linkage in the hard segment as well as ester and carbonate linkages in the soft segment. The absorption bands of ν(NH), ν(C=O), δ(NH), ν (CN), and ν(COC) in FTIR spectra of PUAs recorded as a function of increasing temperature demonstrated abrupt changes around the initial thermal decomposition temperature, making possible comprehensive studies of the thermal degradation process of PUAs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 573–579, 2006