Permeable domains of segmented polyurethanes studied with paramagnetic spin probe

Studies on the permeable regions of the dense polyurethane-based membranes were performed by electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) using TEMPO spin probe incorporated into the membrane via diffusion from the vapour phase. The ESR spectra were measured as a function of temperature and microwave power for polyurethanes (PU) varying in the molecular structure and morphology. It was found that the TEMPO spin probe exhibited anisotropic rotation whose anisotropy increased as temperature decreased and was more pronounced for PU with shorter soft segments. The simplified method was used to obtain apparent correlation time τc enabling the comparison of the polyurethanes studied. This approach was based on the Arrhenius relation of τc vs. 1/T determined from motionally narrowed ESR spectra and on the assumption that this behaviour prevails over a broader temperature range at temperatures generally greater than Tg of a given polymer.