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624776 
Journal Article 
Surface characteristics of UV-irradiated polyurethane elastomers extended with α, ω-alkane diols 
Zia, KM; Bhatti, IA; Barikani, M; Zuber, M; Islam ud, D 
2008 
Yes 
Applied Surface Science
ISSN: 0169-4332 
254 
21 
6754-6761 
Abstract: Polyurethane elastomers (PUEs) based on 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), poly (É›-caprolactone) (PCL) and extended with series of chain extender (CE) were synthesized via two step polymerization technique. The synthesized samples were irradiated for 50, 100 and 200h in an UV exposure unit as such the spectral distribution of the light is good match for terrestrial solar radiation. The modifications in the chemical structures of the PU before and after irradiation were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) technique. The effect of irradiation time and chain extenders length on surface properties were studied and investigated. Photo-oxidation of PU surface leads to fast increase in surface free energy and its polar component. Simultaneously, the work of water adhesion to polymer increases significantly during UV-irradiation. The higher changes in surface properties, observed by water absorption (%), equilibrium degree of swelling, as well as monitored by ATR-FT-IR and contact angle measurement, were found for the PU samples extended with higher number of methylene unit and irradiation time. [Copyright 2008 Elsevier] Copyright of Applied Surface Science is the property of Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts) 
SURFACES (Technology); ALKANES; SURFACE chemistry; POLYURETHANE elastomers; α; ω-Alkane diols