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Updated: Apr 18, 2026
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Synthesis of Soft Polysiloxane-urea Elastomers for Intraocular Lens Application
Published on: March 8, 2019
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Effects of Catalyst Complex on In Situ Polymerization and Formation Processes of Reactive Polyurethane Coatings
Zhuo Wang1, Lie Zhao2, Bin Zhao1
1National Base for International Science and Technology Cooperation in Textiles and Consumer-Goods Chemistry and Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Research Center for Green and Low-Carbon Dyeing and Finishing, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 310018 Hangzhou, China.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|April 16, 2026
Summary
A new catalyst complex accelerates reactive polyurethane (RPU) coating formation by 44% without compromising mechanical properties. This innovation also significantly reduces humidity sensitivity, improving RPU coating production efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Reactive polyurethane (RPU) coatings offer solvent-free, low-emission, and energy-efficient preparation.
- Current RPU synthesis faces challenges including slow room-temperature polymerization rates (over 120 min) and humidity sensitivity of single catalysts, hindering efficient polyaddition and mechanical properties.
- Heating accelerates RPU polymerization but complicates reaction control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of catalyst complexes on microstructure evolution during in situ polymerization of RPU coatings.
- To overcome the limitations of slow reaction rates and humidity sensitivity in RPU coating preparation.
Main Methods:
- Investigated catalyst complexes, specifically dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), and their mass ratios.
- Analyzed in situ polymerization stages: chain extension, gelation, and microphase separation.
- Evaluated polymerization rate, mechanical properties (breaking strength, elongation), and gel content under varying humidity levels.
Main Results:
- Optimizing the DBTDL:DABCO mass ratio to 1:1 accelerated RPU polymerization by 44% compared to single DBTDL catalyst.
- The catalyst complex maintained RPU coating mechanical properties, with breaking strength at 14.56 MPa and breaking elongation at 813%.
- The catalyst complex demonstrated reduced humidity sensitivity, achieving 92.1 ± 1.3% gel content at 60% humidity, a 9.5% increase over single DBTDL.
Conclusions:
- The catalyst complex significantly shortens RPU coating processing time.
- The developed catalyst system mitigates humidity-related issues during RPU preparation.
- This advancement benefits the polyurethane industry by improving efficiency and product consistency.
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