Abstract
Two series of new self-coloured segmented polyurethane elastomers were successfully synthesized via the reaction of poly (tetramethylene ether) glycol (Terathane 1400) and hexamethylene diisocyanate / 4,5-dibromofluorescein with glycerine or castor oil as hard segments in a N,N-dimethylformamide solution. Polyurethane structure formation has been proven by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Photosensitive-dibromofluorescein polyurethane elastomers exhibited high thermal stability and the addition of 4,5-dibromo-fluorescein in the preparation of the fluorescent polyurethane elastomers enhanced the tensile strength. This may be attributed to an increased cross-linking due to strong intermolecular interaction between the fluorescein polyurethane molecules. The fluorescence performance for the fluorescent polyurethane elastomers films appears at 560-580 nm, and increased concentration of 4,5-dibromofluorescein enhances the fluorescence performance of these polyurethane elastomers. Keywords: polyurethanes, fluorescence, chain extender, mechanical properties, thermal behavior