hydrogen bond and free volume property of poly(ether-urethane) irradiated by neutron

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part B, Polymer physics Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 381 - 388
• Main Authors: Chen, Z, Huang, W, Fang, P.F, Yu, W, Wang, S.J, Xiong, J, Xu, Y.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.02.2010; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chains; Collapse; Crosslinking and degradation; degradation; Exact sciences and technology; free volume; FTIR; Hydrogen bonding; Hydrogen bonds; Irradiation; microstructure; phase separation; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymers and radiations; polyurethanes; Positron annihilation; radiation; Reproduction; Volume fraction; microstructure; Gas release; Free volume; degradation; positron annihilation; Experimental study; polyurethanes; hydrogen bonding; phase separation; radiation; FTIR; Radiation effect; Radiochemical degradation; Oxygen effect; Neutron beam; Exposure time; Etherurethane polymer; Hydrogen bond
• ISSN: 0887-6266; 1099-0488; 1099-0488
• DOI: 10.1002/polb.21900

Poly(ether-urethane) (PEU) was irradiated by neutron in different atmospheres. The hydrogen bonding interaction was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and the microstructure of PEU had been investigated by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The gas products were detected by gas chromatography after irradiation. The results demonstrated that the irradiation led to more hydrogen bonded carbonyl in PEU, smaller relative free volume fraction, and narrower free volume distribution. It suggested that increasing hydrogen bonds would result in the collapse of free volume. The irradiation induced micro-phase merging together and the presence of oxygen would accelerate this tendency, which was revealed by PALS. All the results indicated that the chain relaxation led to more hydrogen bonds, and the hydrogen bonding interaction suppressed the free volume.