Self-Healable and Recyclable Biomass-Derived Polyurethane Networks through Carbon Dioxide Immobilization

Abstract

Due to growing environmental issues, research on carbon dioxide (CO2) use is widely conducted and efforts are being made to produce useful materials from biomass-derived resources. However, polymer materials developed by a combined strategy (i.e., both CO2-immobilized and biomass-derived) are rare. In this study, we synthesized biomass-derived poly(carbonate-co-urethane) (PCU) networks using CO2-immobilized furan carbonate diols (FCDs) via an ecofriendly method. The synthesis of FCDs was performed by directly introducing CO2 into a biomass-derived 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan. Using mechanochemical synthesis (ball-milling), the PCU networks were effortlessly prepared from FCDs, erythritol, and diisocyanate, which were then hot-pressed into films. The thermal and thermomechanical properties of the PCU networks were thoroughly characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic (thermal) mechanical analysis, and using a rheometer. The self-healing and recyclable properties of the PCU films were successfully demonstrated using dynamic covalent bonds. Interestingly, transcarbamoylation (urethane exchange) occurred preferentially as opposed to transcarbonation (carbonate exchange). We believe our approach presents an efficient means for producing sustainable polyurethane copolymers using biomass-derived and CO2-immobilized diols.

Biomass- and Carbon Dioxide-Derived Polyurethane Networks for Thermal Interface Material Applications

“…Our group has previously reported that thermoplastic or thermoset polymers can easily be prepared using BHMF via a facile, solvent-free ball milling process and can be used for self-healable, reprocessable, and shape-memory materials [ 31 , 32 ]. However, synthetic strategies involving biomass- and CO 2 -derived monomers are still quite rare, despite the increasing number of reports on sustainable polymers fabricated from each renewable source [ 33 ].…”

Fully Bio-Based Composites of Poly (Lactic Acid) Reinforced with Cellulose-Graft-Poly-(ε-Caprolactone) Copolymers

“…The growing consumption of crude oil on human development highlights the concern of the resource availability and environmental crisis. On this account, the renewable and sustainable polymeric materials have become a mainstream research topic [1][2][3]. The transformation of the traditional petro-based plastics to bio-based polymeric materials not only brings a new blueprint for resource richness, but also provides benefits to our environment [4][5][6][7].…”