UPy-Functionalized Conductive Polyurethane Elastomer With Notable Thermal Stability and Partial Mechanical Recovery Properties

A series of UPy-functionalized conductive polyurethane elastomers (UCPUs) were synthesized by using p-phenylene diisocyanate (PPDI) and 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) as hard segments and extending the molecular chain by aniline trimer (AT). To improve the thermal stability and mechanical properties of UCPUs, aminopropyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has also been introduced into soft segments. The correlation between microphase separation structure and thermal stability, mechanical properties, and self-healing performance was investigated using multiple characterization techniques such as DSC, DMA, XRD, SAXS, ATR-FTIR, POM, and so on. The addition of UPy constructed a dynamic cross-linked network and slightly reduced the heat resistance of UCPUs. The introduction of PDMS significantly improved the thermal stability and mechanical properties. The tensile strength, thermal stability, and self-healing efficiency of the UCPU-40% (U5) with the most balanced performance can reach 33.9 MPa, 303°C, and 21%, respectively. All UCPUs have excellent processability and recyclability, and their electrical conductivity can also be controlled by changing the doping amount of (1S)-(+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid (CSA). This developed UPy-functionalized conductive polyurethane with notable thermal stability and partial mechanical recovery properties may provide a new reference for preparing heat-resistant conductive polyurethane material.