Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) was modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) macromer, containing a terminal acrylic group to be polymerized by a radical mechanism, to endow breathability. The water vapor permeability (WVP) of WPU was effectively improved by the modification to introduce in the WPU network other polymer chains with PEG brushes. Other problems resulting from the introduction of the PEG segment were minimized by this new approach. The modified WPU exhibited a good balance of WVP and water resistance. In addition, the deterioration of tensile properties and tackiness generation by the introduced PEG segment were moderate. The modified WPU exhibited a temperature-responsive WVP due to the crystallinity of the PEG segment.
Volume 103, February 2017, Pages 69–75