Poly(propylene glycol)-Based Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Ionenes: Thermal, Morphological and Conductive Properties

Authors

Jordan C. Pierce, Murray State University
George M. Timmermann, Murray State University
Creston Singer, Murray State University
David Salas-de la Cruz, Rutgers University - Camden
Kevin Miller, Murray State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

9-11-2023

Publication Title

Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics

Department

Chemistry

College/School

Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of a series of polyurethane ionenes using a non-isocyanate approach is disclosed. Imidazole-capped, urethane-containing prepolymers are prepared by first reacting carbonyl diimidazole (CDI) with several poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) diols with variable molecular weight, followed by subsequent reaction with 3-aminopropylimidazole (API). Polymerization with 1,4-dibromomethylbenzene followed by anion exchange resulted in the desired polyurethane ionenes bearing the [NTf2] counteranion as a series of viscous liquids. NMR and FTIR spectroscopy are used to characterize the intermediates and final ionenes, including molecular weight determination by end-group analysis. A single glass transition temperature (Tg), as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), is observed for each ionene (−38 to −64 °C) with the Tg decreasing with increasing PPG molecular weight. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated a two-step decomposition for each ionene, with the first being degradation of the PPG segment, followed by the urethane/ionic segment. Microphase separation is observed from x-ray scattering profiles with Bragg distances that increased with increasing PPG molecular weight. Ionic conductivity is found to be inversely dependent upon DSC Tg at lower temperatures (RT and below); however, at higher temperatures, conductivity appears to be more dependent upon the ability of ionic aggregates caused by phase separation to interact.

Comments

This is an Accepted Manuscript of a peer-reviewed article published by Wiley in Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, available at https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202300290

Recommended Citation

Pierce, J. C., Timmermann, G. M., Singer, C., Salas‐de la Cruz, D., & Miller, K. M. (2023). Poly (propylene glycol)‐Based Non‐Isocyanate Polyurethane Ionenes: Thermal, Morphological and Conductive Properties. Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, 224(22), 2300290.