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Green Synthesis of Castor Oil-Modified Waterborne Polyurethanes via a Solvent-Free Approach.
Angus Shiue1, Kai-Yen Chin1, Yu-Han Liu1
1Department of Molecular Science and Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
Polymers
|June 26, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a sustainable, solvent-free method for producing waterborne polyurethane (WPU) using bio-based castor oil. The new WPU enhances tensile strength and thermal stability, offering an eco-friendly alternative.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Conventional waterborne polyurethane (WPU) production uses organic solvents and volatile neutralizers, posing environmental and health risks.
- There's a growing need for sustainable alternatives to petrochemical-based materials in polymer synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a solvent-free WPU synthesis method.
- To incorporate renewable castor oil (CO) into WPU formulations to enhance sustainability and performance.
- To investigate the impact of varying CO content on WPU properties.
Main Methods:
- Solvent-free synthesis of WPU using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), polytetrahydrofuran (PTMG), and Ymer™ A-130.
- Partial substitution of PTMG with castor oil (CO) at different ratios.
- Evaluation of physical properties, including tensile strength, thermal stability (Td5%), solvent resistance, wetting characteristics, and environmental durability of WPU films and coatings.
Main Results:
- Increasing CO content from 0 wt% to 11.8 wt% improved tensile strength from 1.45 MPa to 2.40 MPa.
- Thermal stability, indicated by the temperature at 5% weight loss (Td5%), increased from 263.84 °C to 285.36 °C with higher CO content.
- Preliminary assessments showed promising solvent resistance, surface wetting, and environmental durability.
Conclusions:
- The developed solvent-free WPU synthesis using castor oil offers a sustainable and high-performance alternative to conventional methods.
- Incorporating castor oil significantly enhances the mechanical and thermal properties of WPU.
- The findings support the potential of bio-based materials in creating eco-friendly coatings with improved characteristics.
