Solvent-annealing-induced microphase separation in polyether polyurethane: a small-angle X-ray scattering study.

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the effects of solvent vapor annealing on the microphase separation structure of polyurethane (PU) using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and complementary techniques. Solvent annealing, as an alternative to thermal annealing, offers a lower-temperature method to refine the microstructure of PU. We examined the impact of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), acetone and toluene vapors on a commercial polyether PU, focusing on changes in microphase structure, adsorption kinetics and thermal stability. The SAXS data, analyzed by a polydisperse hard-sphere model, indicated that the degree of phase separation increased upon solvent annealing, and the order of influence exerted by the solvent vapors on the microphase structure follows MEK > acetone > toluene. The in situ

SUBMITTER: Wang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11957403 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature