Preparation and Characterization of Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and Castor Oil Based Uralkyds Interpenetrating Polymer Networks

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of poly[2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate] and uralkyd prepolymer were synthesized using benzoyl peroxide as initiator, polyethylene glycol as chain extender, and N,N-methylene bis acrylamide as crosslinker by sequential polymerization method. The concentration of uralkyd (UA) prepolymer and poly[2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate] (PHEMA) were varied and their effects on chemical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of IPNs were investigated. The IPNs glass-transition temperatures increase with increasing PHEMA concentrations. Tensile strength, and shore A hardness increases with increasing concentration of PHEMA while sacrificing percent elongation. Almost all IPNs have shown similar chemical resistance irrespective of composition. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that increase in PHEMA concentration increases thermal stability of IPNs. Morphological analysis reveals that IPNs reveals heterogeneous and compact morphologies with distinct rnicrophase separation.