Preparation and Characterization of Optically Active Polyurethane from Rotatory Binaphthol Monomer and Polyurethane...

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• Optically active polymers are versatile materials with significant application potential.
• Developing sustainable and high-performance polymers is crucial for advanced material applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize environmentally friendly optically active polyurethanes (OPUs) by incorporating a rotatory binaphthol monomer.
• To investigate the impact of binaphthol monomer content on OPU properties, including structure, mechanical performance, infrared emissivity, and thermal insulation.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of optically active polyurethanes (OPUs) by introducing binaphthol monomer into polyurethane.
• Characterization of OPU structure, mechanical properties (tensile strength, stretchability), infrared emissivity (8-14 μm), and thermal insulation capabilities.
• Comparative analysis of OPUs with varying binaphthol content and waterborne polyurethane (WPU).

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of optically active polyurethanes confirmed by structural characterization.
• Optimal thermal resistance observed in OPUs synthesized with a 1:1 mole ratio of BINOL and BDO.
• Increased BINOL content enhanced tensile strength and stretchability due to rigid structure and high molecular weight.
• OPUs demonstrated significantly lower infrared emissivity (0.572-0.850) compared to WPU, decreasing with higher BINOL content.
• OPU4 showed superior heat insulation and cooling, with a temperature difference of approximately 7 °C.

Conclusions:

• Optically active polyurethanes synthesized with binaphthol monomer offer a viable route to multifunctional materials.
• These OPUs present a promising solution for developing highly effective thermal insulation materials with tunable properties.
• The study highlights the potential of incorporating optically active monomers for advanced polymer functionalities.