Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane anionomers

Un‐ionized polyurethane was obtained by the reaction of an isocyanate‐terminated urethane prepolymer, which was synthesized from 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate and poly(oxytetramethylene)‐α,ω‐glycol, with 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid. A carboxylate‐based polyurethane anionomer was then derived from the polyurethane by the use of the sodium, potassium, or magnesium salt of acetic acid as a neutralizer. The ionomerization resulted in the following changes in the characteristics of the polyurethane: (1) an increase in the tensile strength, (2) a decrease in the glass‐transition temperature, (3) an increase in the wettability and hygroscopicity with respect to water, and (4) susceptibility to thermal decomposition. A sulfonate‐based polyurethane was also synthesized for comparison with the carboxylate‐based polyurethane. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2144–2148, 2005