Sustainable cycloaliphatic polyurethanes: from synthesis to applications

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Polyurethanes (PUs) are versatile polymers traditionally made from fossil fuels.
• Environmental concerns drive the search for sustainable alternatives.
• Renewable feedstocks offer a path to eco-friendly PUs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of sustainable cycloaliphatic PUs.
• To explore synthesis routes using biobased and recycled materials.
• To correlate chemical structure with material properties and applications.

Main Methods:

• Reviewing chemical modifications of sustainable cycloaliphatic feedstocks.
• Summarizing PU synthesis from these renewable building blocks.
• Analyzing structure-property relationships.

Main Results:

• Cycloaliphatic PUs can be synthesized from diverse renewable sources (terpenes, carbohydrates, fatty acids, cholesterol, plastic waste).
• These PUs offer a balance of properties, combining aliphatic and aromatic advantages.
• Specific building blocks impart distinct characteristics like rigidity, flexibility, and resistance.

Conclusions:

• Sustainable cycloaliphatic PUs represent a promising alternative to conventional materials.
• Their tunable properties enable applications in construction, transport, packaging, and biomedicine.
• Further research into renewable feedstocks can advance green polymer chemistry.