ɛ-caprolactone and pentaerythritol derived oligomer for rigid polyurethane foams preparation

Abstract

Copolymerization of pentaerythritol with five equivalents of ɛ-caprolactone leads to tetra-functional branched oligomer terminated with hydroxyl groups. The product was characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography and physical methods to determine viscosity, density and surface tension. The oligomer was then used to obtain rigid polyurethane foam. The foam was characterized by physicochemical methods to determine: apparent density, water uptake, polymerization shrinkage, heat conductance coefficient, thermal stability, compression strength and biodegradation. The foam obtained from this oligomer have the properties similar to classic rigid polyurethane foams but enhanced thermal resistance. It can stand long time heating at 175°C, while its compression strength increases upon thermal exposure. The foam and oligomer are biodegradable; the oligomer is fully decomposed within 28 days in soil, while the foam obtained from it is in the same conditions degradable up to 28% of initial mass.

Synthesis and Morphology Characteristics of New Highly Branched Polycaprolactone PCL

“…Polycaprolactone is an important polymer in scaffolds, and the ability to produce composites increases its importance in this field [ 16 ]. Branched varieties, as well as PCL, have been extensively studied, which contain additional structural units such as glycidol, lactide, pentaerythritol or poly(ethylene glycol) [ 13 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. However, only few studies to date have shown interest in highly branched PCL obtained by chain growth from a HP core.…”