Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2025
11:49
Synthesis of Soft Polysiloxane-urea Elastomers for Intraocular Lens Application
Published on: March 8, 2019
12.7K
Structure-Property Relationship and Multiple Processing Studies of Novel Bio-Based Thermoplastic Polyurethane
Joanna Smorawska1, Marcin Włoch1, Ewa Głowińska1
1Department of Polymers Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, 11/12 Gabriel Narutowicza Street, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 28, 2023
Summary
Recycling bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (bio-TPUs) through mechanical reprocessing enhances their tensile strength and elongation at break. These sustainable materials demonstrate improved properties after multiple cycles, supporting a circular economy for plastics.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Growing demand for polymers necessitates effective recycling strategies.
- Mechanical recycling of bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (bio-TPUs) offers a sustainable waste management solution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of two mechanical reprocessing cycles on the properties of bio-TPUs.
- To evaluate the recyclability and potential for circular economy applications of bio-TPUs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of two series of bio-TPUs using solvent-free methods.
- Characterization of raw and reprocessed bio-TPUs (chemical, physical, thermal, thermomechanical, mechanical properties).
Main Results:
- Reprocessing altered phase separation, impacting bio-TPU properties.
- Chemical structure remained largely consistent; thermal stability up to 300 °C.
- Tensile strength increased by 34%, elongation at break by 200%; hardness decreased by 3-4 °ShA after two cycles.
Conclusions:
- Bio-TPUs exhibit enhanced mechanical properties after multiple reprocessing cycles.
- Recyclability of bio-TPUs supports the circular economy for plastics.
- High bio-based content (78.4-78.8 wt.%) contributes to environmental benefits.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Polymer Classification: Architecture
2.8K
Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
2.8K
01:26Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity
2.5K
Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
2.5K
01:20Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters
2.3K
The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the...
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the...
2.3K
01:21Polymer Classification: Crystallinity
2.9K
Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
2.9K
01:00Characteristics and Nomenclature of Homopolymers
3.1K
Polymers that are made up of identical monomer units are called homopolymers. Only one repeating unit is involved in the construction of the homopolymer structure. For example, as depicted in Figure 1, polypropylene is a homopolymer constituted of propylene monomers. Here, the only repeating unit in the polymer chain is propylene.
3.1K
02:35Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes
7.9K
The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
7.9K