GOING GREEN: POLYURETHANE APPLICATIONS FROM VEGETABLE OIL-BASED POLYOLS

Abstract

Vegetable oils are a promising source of raw materials for the production of high functionality
polyols. These polyols are widely used in the manufacture of high-quality products such as polyurethanes and
poly(ether urethanes). In this study, a series of bio-based triglyceride vegetable oils, including Sesamum
indicum (sesame oil), Arachis hypogeae (peanut oil), Azadirachta indica (neem oil), Jatropha curcas (jatropha
oil), and Madhuca longifolia (mahua oil), were used to prepare high molecular weight polyols. The effects of
carboxyl to epoxy ratio on the ring opening of epoxy groups were investigated by using castor oil fatty diol.
The resulting epoxidized oils and bio-polyols were characterized by Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FTIR),
Proton Nuclear Resonance Spectroscopy (1H NMR), and Carbon Nuclear Resonance Spectroscopy (13C
NMR). The molecular weight of the polyols was determined by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), and
the stability and decomposition of the polyols were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
Rheometry was used to determine the viscosity of the polyols, and the flow rate of the polyols was derived
from a power law model. The results showed that the bio-based polyols produced from vegetable oils
exhibited excellent thermal stability, high molecular weight, and good rheological properties. This study
provides valuable information for the development of bio-based polyols as an alternative to petroleum-based
polyols. The use of vegetable oils in the synthesis of high functionality polyols could lead to a reduction in
environmental pollution and provide a sustainable solution for the production of high-quality polyurethane
materials.