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Reversibly Crosslinked Polyurethane Fibres from Sugar-Based 5-Chloromethylfurfural: Synthesis, Fibre-Spinning and
Niklas Warlin1,2, Maria Nelly Garcia Gonzalez3, Rafael N L de Menezes1
1Department of Chemistry, Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Lund University, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden.
Chemsuschem
|October 1, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed recyclable biobased polyurethane fibers from plant-derived materials. These novel fibers can be de-crosslinked and separated from blends, enabling effective fiber-to-fiber recycling.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Developing recyclable thermosetting fibers remains a significant challenge.
- Biobased monomers offer a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based resources.
- Lignin and fructose are abundant, renewable biomass feedstocks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize novel biobased polyurethane fibers.
- To investigate the recyclability of these fibers through reversible crosslinking.
- To assess the feasibility of fiber-to-fiber recycling for thermosetting materials.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of polyurethane fibers using fructose-derived 5-chloromethylfurfural (CMF) and lignin-derived phenols.
- Wet-spinning technique for fiber fabrication.
- Crosslinking via Diels-Alder chemistry to enhance thermal and mechanical properties.
- De-crosslinking at elevated temperatures (140°C) for material separation.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized biobased polyurethane fibers with tunable properties.
- Demonstrated effective crosslinking and de-crosslinking using Diels-Alder chemistry.
- Achieved efficient separation of the biobased fibers from PET and cotton blends.
- Greenhouse gas emissions for CMF production are comparable to HMF.
Conclusions:
- Biobased polyurethane fibers with reversible crosslinking were successfully fabricated.
- The developed materials enable facile separation and potential fiber-to-fiber recycling.
- This approach offers a promising strategy for sustainable thermosetting fiber production and recycling.
