Synthesis and Characterization of a Nonionic Urethane-Based Thickener

Hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethanes have been synthesized using polyethylene glycol, hexamethylene diisocyanate and cetyl alcohol. These types of thickeners are categorized as nonionic associative thickeners. The HEURs were prepared in two steps. Initially an ethoxylated urethane prepolymer was synthesized through a reaction between a polyethylene glycol (Mn=6000) and hexamethylene diisocyanate using the step growth polymerization technique, then modification was carried out by reaction of cetyl alcohol with the obtained prepolymer. HEURs were characterized using 1H NMR, FTIR and GPC techniques. The rheological properties of incorporated samples in different media proved the considerable thickening efficiency of the produced HEUR.