Effects of Aging on Sucrose-Based Poly(ester-urethane)s: Thermal, Ultraviolet, and Hydrolytic Stability

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Sustainable Materials

Background:

• Polyurethanes are versatile polymers with diverse applications.
• Developing sustainable and biodegradable alternatives is crucial for reducing environmental impact.
• Sucrose offers a renewable resource for polymer synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel, eco-friendly sucrose-based poly(ester-urethane)s.
• To evaluate the stability and degradation behavior of these materials under thermal, UV, and hydrolytic stress.
• To assess the potential of these materials for sustainable industrial applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of sucrose-based poly(ester-urethane)s.
• Characterization using FT-IR, TGA, DSC, contact angle measurements, AFM, and SEM.
• Mechanical testing to evaluate strength and elongation retention after aging.
• Assessment of degradation under thermal (hot/cold climates), UV, and hydrolytic conditions.

Main Results:

• Sucrose incorporation protected ester and urethane groups from degradation.
• Polycaprolactone-poly(ester urethane) exhibited the highest stability due to crystallinity.
• This material retained over 85% fracture strength under all aging conditions.
• Negligible weight change was observed after hydrolytic degradation.

Conclusions:

• Sucrose-based poly(ester-urethane)s offer enhanced environmental stability.
• Polycaprolactone-based polyurethane is a promising candidate for durable, eco-friendly materials.
• These materials contribute to the development of sustainable alternatives in industrial applications.