Structure and properties of hydrophilic epoxy networks

Two series of the networks were prepared by end-linking reaction of α, ω-diamino terminated poly(oxypropylene)-block-poly(oxyethylene)- block-poly(oxypropylene) α, ω-diamino terminated poly(oxypropylene) (POP) and diglycidyl ether of Bisphenol A propoxylate (PDGEBA). In the first series, prepared using functionalized POP-POE-POP and PDGEBA, hydrophilicity of the networks was controlled via cross-linking density of the networks, changing the initial ratio of reactives. In the second series, POP-POE-POP was gradually substituted by POP of the same molecular weight, enabling a control of hydrophilicity of the networks at essentially constant crosslinking density. Microphase separated structure of the networks swollen in deuterated water with variations of neutron scattering length density on nanometer scale was found by SANS. Thermal behaviour of the networks in dry and swollen state was investigated by DSC.