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Sustainable Flexible Polyurethane Foams From Marine-Biodegradable PHA and PCL-Based Polyols: Synthesis, Characterization, and Degradation

delete2025-09-01
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PRE
AI
P
Pyung Soo Lee
W
Woo Jin Yang
S
Simon MoonGeun Jung *
DOI:10.1002/app.57996delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is produced by microorganisms as a CO2-derived polymer, while polycaprolactone (PCL) is a synthetic semi-crystalline polyester. Both compounds are known to biodegrade under appropriate conditions in marine and terrestrial environments. In this study, PHA- and PCL-based polyurethane foams were synthesized by reacting these biodegradable polyols (PHA and PCL) with 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate via a prepolymer method and subsequent polycondensation at 150 degrees C. Based on FT-IR spectra, no vibration peak was observed at 2270 cm-1 assigned to free isocyanate groups, indicating the successful formation of polyurethane foams (PUFs). TGA thermograms revealed that the PHA- and PCL-based polymers had good thermal stability, with initial thermal decomposition around 260 degrees C, and the final char residue content increased with higher PHA content in the PUF chain. The PHA content greatly influenced mechanical properties, notably the tensile strength and elongation at break. In accelerated degradation experiments, PUF samples containing PHA showed a higher tendency for degradation under hydrothermal conditions. This indicates that PHA-containing structures are more susceptible to hydrolytic degradation than those made with only PCL and polyether polyols under the tested conditions. These results suggest that PHA-based polyurethane has significant potential for various eco-friendly applications where environmental degradability is desirable.
Keywords:
biodegradable
biopolymers and renewable polymers
degradation
elastomers
foams

Journal

Journal of Applied Polymer Science cover
Journal of Applied Polymer Science
IF:
2.8
Papers:
3.4K
Citations:
6.9W

Organization

C
Chung Ang University
Scholars:
1.3W
Papers: 1.4W
Citations: 133
Hankyong National University cover
Hankyong National University
Scholars:
790
Papers: 997
Citations: 759