Synthesis and characterization of novel linear and cross-linked polyurethane urea elastomers with 2,3-diaminopyridine in the main chain

Novel polyurethane urea containing pyridine moieties in their main chains have been prepared by a two-step solution polymerization procedure. These polyurethane urea elastomers were synthesized by chain-extending isocyanate end-capped prepolymers with 2,3-diaminoyridine and different cross-linkers. The isocyanate-terminated prepolymers were obtained from poly(tetramethylene oxide) glycol of molecular weight 1400 (Terathane 1400) and 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate. Including pyridine derivatives into the structural compositions leads to a change in properties that were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), mechanical measurements and contact angle and fluorescence analysis. The results show that intermolecular hydrogen bonds have formed between pyridine groups and urethane or urea groups, affecting all the obtained properties.