Electrospinning of linear and highly branched segmented poly(urethane urea)s

Abstract

Electrospun fibrous mats were formed from linear and highly branched poly(urethane urea)s. The highly branched poly(urethane urea)s were synthesized using an A2+B3 methodology, where the A2 species is an oligomeric soft segment. Since the molecular weight of the A 2 oligomer is above the entanglement molecular weight, the highly branched polymers formed electrospun fibers unlike typical hyperbranched polymers that do not entangle. Stress-strain experiments revealed superior elongation for the electrospun fibrous mats. In particular, the highly branched fiber mats did not fail at 1300% elongation, making the electrospun mats promising for potential applications where enhanced tear strength resistance is required. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.