BIO-BASED POLYURETHANE FILMS: EFFECT OF HYDROXYL NUMBERS ON THE PROPERTIES OF THE POLYURETHANE FILMS
Date of Award
Fall 12-13-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Chemistry (MSChem)
Department
Chemistry
First Advisor
Dr. Ram K. Gupta
Second Advisor
Dr. Khamis Siam
Third Advisor
Dr. Anuradha Ghosh
Abstract
In today's world, there's a growing shift towards adopting eco-friendly and sustainable materials in response to pressing environmental concerns. Among the key polymeric materials utilized in various industries, polyurethanes stand out, being widely employed in the manufacture of everyday essentials. However, the conventional method of producing polyurethanes relies heavily on hazardous and fossil fuel-derived substances, presenting significant environmental challenges. To address this issue, there's a critical need to substitute petroleum-based materials with more sustainable alternatives. In our research, we focused on utilizing limonene, a compound found in citrus fruit peels such as lemon and orange, and geraniol, extracted from rose and citronella oils. Through thiol-ene click reactions, we synthesized several thiols by reacting limonene with 2-mercaptoethanol and 1-thioglycerol. Geraniol reacted with 2-mercaptoethanol. This process involved the conversion of the C=C bonds present in limonene and geraniol when combined with various thiol compounds. Subsequently, the obtained thiols underwent treatment with Methylene Diisocyanate (MDI), followed by the curing of polyurethane films at temperatures of 70°C and 100°C. Furthermore, we introduced soybean polyol into the mix in varying weight ratios to enhance the mechanical properties of the films. Through this approach, we aimed to investigate the influence of increasing hydroxyl group content on the properties of polyurethane films. Our study not only demonstrates a sustainable method for synthesizing polyurethane films but also highlights the effectiveness of thiol compounds in the conversion process. To evaluate the structural morphology of the polyurethane films, we employed Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), while mechanical properties were assessed through tensile and hardness tests. Additionally, we analyzed the thermal behavior of the films using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Overall, our research contributes to the development of environmentally friendly alternatives in polymer synthesis and offers insights into improving the performance of polyurethane materials.
Recommended Citation
Patel, Fenilkumar, "BIO-BASED POLYURETHANE FILMS: EFFECT OF HYDROXYL NUMBERS ON THE PROPERTIES OF THE POLYURETHANE FILMS" (2024). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 619.
https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/etd/619
