Preparation of Polyether Ester Polyols and their Application in Hydrophilic Foam

Novel polyether ester polyols (PGA) containing ester bonds were prepared by esterification-polycondensation reaction using polyethylene glycols and adipic acid as raw materials. Meanwhile the structure of PGA was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, ¹H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Gel Permeation Chromatography. Hydrophilic polyurethane foam materials were prepared by the two-step method, and the effects of the relative molecular weight of PGA on the properties of hydrophilic polyurethane foam materials were investigated. Results confirmed that ester bond and ether bond were introduced into PGA, and when the relative molecular weight of PGA was about 2100, the hydrophilic polyurethane foam material had comfortable feel, excellent mechanical properties, low swelling ratio, and excellent water absorption to make it suitable for medical dressing and flexible sensing.