Overlooked Impact of Interchain H-Bonding between Cross-Links on the Mechanical Properties of Thermoset Polyurethane Elastomers

Thermoset polyurethane elastomers made from poly(3,3-bis(azidomethyl) oxetane with tetrahydrofuran) and various multifunctional isocyanate cross-linkers were compared to uncover a new mechanism of modulating the mechanical properties. Extra hydrogen bonding motifs, such as urethane or urea, were built in the cross-linkers and were proved to essentially determine the stiffness and toughness of the elastomers, while the covalent cross-linking densities of both networks were controlled strictly at the same level. The impact of interchain H-bonding on the mechanical properties of the polyurethane thermoset was unprecedently emphasized and supported by evidence from Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LFNMR).