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Abstract
The oxygen barrier properties of films obtained from waterborne polyurethane/silica hybrid dispersions were analyzed. Two different types of polyurethanes were used, based on poly(propylene glycol) and poly(1,4-butylene adipate). Three different strategies were followed in the preparation of the hybrid dispersions. In the first type of materials (series 1), the inorganic part came exclusively from the covalent incorporation of trifunctional silane groups into the polymeric chains. The other two series contained, in addition to the trifunctional silane groups, tetrafunctional silane groups either physically blended (series 2) or “in situ” generated (series 3). Materials of series 1 showed an increase of the oxygen permeability coefficient with the silane content. However, the other two types of materials presented just the opposite dependence. In this latter case, the systems containing “in situ” generated silica (series 3) presented higher permeability coefficient values, probably because of the steric hindrance imposed by the polyurethane that gave rise to silica networks containing silanol groups and free volume holes. Moreover, lower permeability coefficient values were obtained when larger size particles were added. This fact could mean that the polyurethane/silica interface effects were not totally hindered even when the organic/inorganic phases were covalently bonded.
Funding
The authors acknowledge the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU (UFI 11/56), the Basque Government (Ayuda a grupos de investigación del sistema universitario vasco IT618-13) and the Ministerio de Economia y competitividad (CTQ2013-4113-R) for the funding received to develop this work and for the postdoctoral grant (DKR) received by H.S.
