Designing of new hydrophilic polyurethane using the graft-polymerized poly(acrylic acid) and poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate)

Abstract Poly(acrylic acid) and poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate) chains were grafted to polyurethane (PU) using the graft-polymerization method in order to enhance the water compatibility of PU. The grafted chains were ionized into cationic or anionic form depending on the addition of strong acid or base. The grafted polymer chains did not affect the melting, crystallization, and glass transition of the soft segment of PU due to the softness of the chain. The cross-link density and solution viscosity increased due to the linking between the grafted chains, but the slight cross-linking did not disturb the solvation of PU. The slight cross-linking notably enhanced the maximum tensile stress and shape recovery capability, and the water compatibility of PU could be notably enhanced by the grafted ionized chains. Overall, the grafting of ionized polymeric chains onto PU could enhance the hydrophilicity of PU surface, tensile strength, and shape recovery capability.