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Recent Eco-Trends in Chemistry and Technology of Polyurethane Materials
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Recent Eco-Trends in Chemistry and Technology of Polyurethane Materials

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymeric Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 3122

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Joanna Paciorek-Sadowska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry and Technology of Polyurethanes, Institute of Material Engineering, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: polyurethane materials; polyurethanes foams; synthesis; polyols; bio-polyols; recycling-based raw materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marcin Borowicz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry and Technology of Polyurethanes, Institute of Material Engineering, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: polyurethane materials; polyurethane foams; polyisocyanurate foams; synthesis of polyurethanes; mechanical properties; thermal insulation properties; industrial applications; recycling of polyurethanes; bio-based raw materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polyurethane materials comprise a large group of polymeric materials (elastomers, coatings, adhesives, foams, etc.) that are used in many areas of everyday life, including in medicine, furniture, the automotive industry, civil engineering, etc. Due to their favorable performance properties, polyurethane materials have largely replaced the traditionally used materials. Requirements for product quality and environmental protection are the overriding goals currently set for the polyurethane industry and science. These goals should already be taken into account at the process design and production stages. An important aspect of the implementation of these activities is protecting the natural environment so as to ensure sustainable development, e.g., as a result of the more efficient use of resources and the use of clean, environmentally friendly technologies.

This Special Issue aims to discuss the latest eco-trends in the chemistry and technology of polyurethane materials. It concerns, among others, the synthesis of new sustainable raw materials for the production of polyurethane materials, optimization of existing polyurethane formulations, modification of polyurethane production methods, and implementation of the principles of Sustainable Development, Green Chemistry, and Circular Economy for the production of polyurethanes. This Special Issue titled “New Eco-Trends in Chemistry and Technology of Polyurethane Materials” is aimed at scientists working at universities and research institutes, as well as at those working in the broadly understood polyurethane industry.

We are pleased to invite you to submit both original research papers and review articles to this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Joanna Paciorek-Sadowska
Dr. Marcin Borowicz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polyurethane materials
  • polyurethane composites
  • bio-based raw materials
  • recycling-based raw materials
  • non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU)
  • sustainable materials
  • sustainable development
  • green chemistry
  • circular economy
  • life cycle assessment (LCA)

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 8057 KiB  
Article
Multicriteria Decision Analysis of the Influence of Natural Fibers on the Flexibility of Renewable Polyurethane Composites
by Edivane Cardoso, Viviane Escócio, Carlos Infante and Elen Pacheco
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1610; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071610 - 2 Apr 2025
Viewed by 177
Abstract
Renewable polyurethane (PU) composites were developed using castor oil and long coir (LCF), ground coir (GCF) or cellulose fiber (CF) at PU/fiber ratios of 50/50, 60/40 and 70/30 wt/wt%, respectively. The aim was to study the influence of natural fibers on composite flexibility [...] Read more.
Renewable polyurethane (PU) composites were developed using castor oil and long coir (LCF), ground coir (GCF) or cellulose fiber (CF) at PU/fiber ratios of 50/50, 60/40 and 70/30 wt/wt%, respectively. The aim was to study the influence of natural fibers on composite flexibility via thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and water absorption, density, tensile strength, flexural and flammability tests. The set of properties was evaluated (1) subjectively by assigning importance values to the different properties and (2) via multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA). In general, the PU composites with cellulose fiber (PU/CF) exhibited higher thermal degradation temperatures, greater tensile moduli and toughness and less flammability. The composites with the best results for both analysis methods (property set analysis) were PU/CF:60/40 wt/wt% and 70/30 wt/wt%, obtained with cellulose fiber (low lignin content) and the highest PU percentage; these were the most suitable for applications that require flexibility, such as in interior design. When comparing the different coir fiber sizes, the composites containing more long coir fiber (PU/LCF 60/40 wt/wt% and 70/30 wt/wt%) presented the best results. The results of subjective property set analysis were validated using multicriteria analysis, resulting in a simple analysis for application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Eco-Trends in Chemistry and Technology of Polyurethane Materials)
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16 pages, 3216 KiB  
Article
Influence of a Siloxane-Modified DOPO Derivative on the Properties of Polyurethane Cationomer Coatings
by Łukasz Byczyński, Mariusz Szołyga and Piotr Król
Materials 2025, 18(4), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040789 - 11 Feb 2025
Viewed by 438
Abstract
Waterborne polyurethane cationomer coatings modified with 1,3-bis(3(3-(propoxy-2-ol-)-9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide)-3-propyloxy))tetramethyldisiloxane (TMDS–AGE–DOPA) containing phosphorus and silicon atoms were obtained. Their structures were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The effect of TMDS–AGE–DOPA on thermal properties, flame retardancy, and surface characteristics (gloss, contact angle, surface free energy), [...] Read more.
Waterborne polyurethane cationomer coatings modified with 1,3-bis(3(3-(propoxy-2-ol-)-9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide)-3-propyloxy))tetramethyldisiloxane (TMDS–AGE–DOPA) containing phosphorus and silicon atoms were obtained. Their structures were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The effect of TMDS–AGE–DOPA on thermal properties, flame retardancy, and surface characteristics (gloss, contact angle, surface free energy), as well as performance properties (hardness, impact resistance), was investigated. A coupled TG-FTIR technique was employed for evolved gas analysis. Thermal stability decreased with the addition of the modifier, while the glass transition temperature increased from −19 to 25 °C. The modifier improved the flame retardancy of the material by shifting the peak temperature of the heat release rate (TPHRR) to lower values. The gloss of the coatings was very high (>90 GU at all angles studied), although it decreased with increasing modifier content. The presence of phosphorus moieties from the modifier enhanced hydrophilicity, raising surface free energy (SFE) from 37.9 to 44.0 mJ/m2. The coatings are soft materials with a Persoz hardness in the range of 0.05–0.32. The modifier increased hardness but reduced impact strength. The obtained cationomers can be applied as environmentally friendly coatings on hydrophilic surfaces such as textiles, glass, or wood. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Eco-Trends in Chemistry and Technology of Polyurethane Materials)
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30 pages, 7974 KiB  
Article
The Complex Valorization of Black Alder Bark Biomass in Compositions of Rigid Polyurethane Foam
by Alexandr Arshanitsa, Matiss Pals, Laima Vevere, Lilija Jashina and Oskars Bikovens
Materials 2025, 18(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18010050 - 26 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 712
Abstract
The use of black alder (BA) bark biomass in rigid polyurethane (PUR) foam compositions was the main task of investigation. Extractive compounds isolated from the bark through hot water extraction were used as precursors for bio-polyol synthesis via acid-free liquefaction with the polyether [...] Read more.
The use of black alder (BA) bark biomass in rigid polyurethane (PUR) foam compositions was the main task of investigation. Extractive compounds isolated from the bark through hot water extraction were used as precursors for bio-polyol synthesis via acid-free liquefaction with the polyether polyol Lupranol 3300 and through oxypropylation with propylene carbonate. The OH functionality and composition of the polyols were analyzed via wet chemistry and FTIR spectroscopy. The solid remaining after the isolation of extractive compounds was also utilized as a natural filler in PUR foams. The effects of replacing commercial polyols with bio-polyols on the foam rising rate and their mechanical properties, morphology, thermal conductivity, and thermal degradation characteristics were examined. The oxypropylated extractive-based PUR compositions demonstrated the most favorable balance between the biomass content and material properties. At an apparent density of 40 kg/m3, the compressive strength of the produced foams was enhanced by 1.4–1.5 times, while the maximum thermal degradation rate in air decreased by 3.8–6.5 times compared to reference materials without adversely affecting the foam morphology. The composition based on liquefied extractives showed lower performance but still improved properties relative to the reference foams. Introducing 3.7–14% of extracted bark into the foam compositions increased the biomass content to 22–24%, although this led to a decrease in the compressive strength and thermal stability. It was shown that partially substituting fossil-derived components with renewable bark biomass in the composition of PUR foams allows for materials with characteristics similar or better to petrochemical-based materials to be obtained. Therefore, the results presented can be considered a contribution to addressing environmental problems and promoting the development of a sustainable economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Eco-Trends in Chemistry and Technology of Polyurethane Materials)
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18 pages, 4068 KiB  
Article
Polyurethane Nanocomposites with Open-Cell Structure Modified with Aluminosilicate Nano-Filler
by Joanna Paciorek-Sadowska, Marcin Borowicz, Janusz Datta, Łukasz Piszczyk, Paulina Kosmela and Iwona Zarzyka
Materials 2024, 17(22), 5641; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225641 - 19 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1174
Abstract
Nanocomposite flexible polyurethane foams (nFPUfs) were obtained by modifying the polyurethane formulation by adding a halloysite nano-filler in the amount of one to five parts by weight per hundred parts of used polyol (php). Flexible polyurethane (PU) foams with an open-cell structure and [...] Read more.
Nanocomposite flexible polyurethane foams (nFPUfs) were obtained by modifying the polyurethane formulation by adding a halloysite nano-filler in the amount of one to five parts by weight per hundred parts of used polyol (php). Flexible polyurethane (PU) foams with an open-cell structure and with a beneficial SAG factor were obtained. Premixes with nano-filler had a lower reactivity than the reference PU system. This favored the production of smaller cells, but with a more rounded shape in comparison with the REF foam without the nano-filler. During the study, the morphology and physical and mechanical properties were characterized, including apparent density, compressive stress, rebound flexibility, SAG factor, closed-cell content, and thermal stability, and compared with the properties of the unmodified reference foam. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the cell structures of all prepared foams were open, and the cell size decreased with increasing nano-filler content. Apparent densities, SAG factors and rebound flexibilities of the foams increased with the increase of nano-filler content, while the resistance to permanent deformation showed the opposite trend. The proper selection of raw materials and optimally developed polyurethane formulations allow for obtaining environmentally friendly foams with favorable functional properties, taking into account price and the needs of sustainable development in the synthesis of flexible foams dedicated to the upholstery industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Eco-Trends in Chemistry and Technology of Polyurethane Materials)
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