Synthesis, Surface Activity And Solubilization Of A Novel Series Of Nonionic Functional Polyurethane Surfactants

A series of nonionic functional polyurethane surfactants (Di-block and Tri-block) were synthesized by the addition polymerization of TDI with polypropylene oxide and monoallyl-end-capped polyethylene oxide. The chemical structures of the polyurethane surfactants were determined by Fourier transform infrared and H-1-NMR, and the effects of the concentration, salt, and temperature on the surface tension were investigated. These polymeric surfactants were found to be of excellent surface activity. The lowest surface tension of polyurethane surfactant aqueous solution could be reduced to 37.6mN/m. All polyurethane surfactants synthesized had low critical micelle concentration and could reduce surface tension even at very low concentration level (10(-5) similar to 10(-6) Mol/L). The solubilizations of toluene in the micelles of polyurethane surfactants synthesized were studied by UV-Visible spectra and the results showed that all polyurethane surfactants had good solubilization capacity. The possible solubilization positions of toluene in the micelle are conjectured.