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Updated: Jul 12, 2025

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers
Published on: December 16, 2022
Enhanced Double Metal Cyanide Catalysts for Modulating the Rheological Properties of Poly(propylene carbonate)
Harin Kim1, Hyo-Jeong Lee1, Jiwon Hwang1
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Sookmyung Women's University, 100 Cheongpa-ro 47-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) polyol is an environmentally sustainable material derived from abundant and renewable greenhouse gas, CO2. Optimizing their synthesis and properties is crucial to their application in the production of polyurethane products. In this study, we synthesized PPC polyols with varying carbonate contents using heterogeneous Zn/Co double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts, which were prepared with poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (P123) as an effective complexing agent. Analysis of the influence of calcination temperature revealed that the DMC-P123 catalyst calcined at 100 °C exhibited superior catalytic performance owing to reduced crystallinity and enhanced formation of the monoclinic phase. Additionally, by precisely controlling the CO2 pressure, high propylene carbonate contents of up to 32.8 wt % in the polyol structure were achieved. The increased carbonate content enhanced the intermolecular attraction between polyol chains, thereby promoting hydrogen bonding and significantly modulating the rheological properties of the polyol. The novel findings of this study establish a solid foundation for the synthesis of CO2-based polyols with desirable properties, serving as alternatives to conventional petroleum-based polyols.
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