Natural Palm Olein Polyol as a Replacement for Polyether Polyols in Viscoelastic Polyurethane Foam

The impact of replacing three polyether polyols with different levels of a single palm olein‐based natural oil polyol (NOP) was systematically correlated with the changes in foaming reactivity, cell structure, physico‐mechanical properties, and morphology of viscoelastic (VE) foams. The data show that replacing the polyether polyols with the NOP slightly increased the rate of the foaming reactivity. Increasing the NOP content resulted in increased cell size and cells remained fully open. Increased NOP content contributed to higher load bearing properties of VE foam, which can be attributed to higher functionality of NOP compared to polyether polyols. Addition of the NOP slightly increased the resilience of the foams, however, the hysteresis which is the measure of energy absorption remained mostly unaffected. Age properties, characterized by dry and humid compression sets, were mostly unaffected by the replacement of the polyether polyol with the NOP. The addition of NOP did not impact the morphology of the VE foam polymer matrix, which appears to retain a low degree of hard and soft segment domain separation. Overall, the results demonstrate a feasibility that the NOP can be used to partially replace the polyether polyols in VE polyurethane foams without significant impact on the functional performance.     

Urethane‐forming reaction kinetics and catalysis of model palm olein polyols: Quantified impact of primary and secondary hydroxyls

Model palm olein natural oil polyols (NOPs) with varying ratios of primary to secondary hydroxyls were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated in reaction kinetics study with isocyanate in formation of polyurethanes. Reaction rate constants and activation energies associated with primary and secondary hydroxyls of NOPs were quantified. The kinetic study in toluene shows that the NOP containing primary hydroxyls have three times higher reaction rate constants in noncatalyzed reaction with 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (4,4′‐MDI) compared to the model NOP containing only secondary hydroxyls, which is associated with higher activation energy of secondary hydroxyls. However, the difference in reaction rate constants of primary and secondary hydroxyls in NOPs diminished in the reactions catalyzed with dibutyltin dilaurate. Bulk polymerization reaction confirms the kinetics results in toluene, showing that the model NOP containing primary hydroxyls reached gel time at a faster rate. Evaluation of elastomers from bulk polymerization shows low degree of phase separation of hard and soft segments for elastomers based on the model NOPs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42955.     

Molecular Weight Determination of Palm Olein Polyols by Gel Permeation Chromatography Using Polyether Polyols Calibration

Natural oil polyols have been intensively developed and successfully used for the production of various polymers, notably polyurethanes. The need to access the average molecular weight (MW) and the MW distribution (MWD) has led to the efforts to have a precise and reliable determination method. A series of commercial polyether polyols, with well‐defined MW, was used as a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) calibration standard to determine the MW of palm olein polyols. This GPC analysis was compared to the one calibrated against the commercially available polystyrene (PS) standards and to the number‐average molecular weight (M_n) obtained via vapor pressure osmometry (VPO) technique. For example, the M_n obtained for palm olein polyol E‐135 calibrated against polyether polyols was 2,537 Da, which was closer to the M_n via VPO (1,618 Da), than the M_n obtained using PS as calibration standards (3,836 Da). Hence, this GPC analysis using polyether polyols as calibration standards can offer reassured determination of MWD of palm olein polyols.     

Synthesis of Transesterified Palm Olein‐Based Polyol and Rigid Polyurethanes from this Polyol

Transesterification of palm olein with glycerol can increase the functionality by introducing additional hydroxyl groups to the triglyceride structure, an advantage compared to using palm olein directly as feedstock for producing palm‐based polyol. The objective of this study was to synthesize transesterified palm olein‐based polyol via a three‐step reaction: (1) transesterification of palm olein, (2) epoxidation and (3) epoxide ring opening. Transesterification of palm olein yielded approximately 78 % monoglyceride and has an hydroxyl value of approximately 164 mg KOH g^?1. The effect of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations on the epoxidation reaction was studied. The relationships between epoxide ring‐opening reaction time and residual oxirane oxygen content and hydroxyl value were monitored. The synthesized transesterified palm olein‐based polyol has hydroxyl value between 300 and 330 mg KOH g^?1 and average molecular weight between 1,000 and 1,100 Da. On the basis of the hydroxyl value and average molecular weight of the polyol, the transesterified palm olein‐based polyol is suitable for producing rigid polyurethane foam, which can be designed to exhibit desirable properties. Rigid polyurethane foams were synthesized by substituting a portion of petroleum‐based polyol with the transesterified palm olein‐based polyol. It was observed that by increasing the amount of transesterified palm olein‐based polyol, the core density and compressive strength were reduced but at the same time the insulation properties of the rigid polyurethane foam were improved.     

Polyether polyols as GPC calibration standards for determination of molecular weight distribution of polyether polyols

Average molecular weights (M_n, M_w and M_p) are important characteristics of oligomers and polymers, and therefore there is a need to have a precise and reliable determination method. A gel permeation chromatography (GPC) coupled with a single refractive index detector was used to determine the molecular weight distributions of commercial polyether polyols calibrated against a series of polyether polyols with known molecular weights and low polydispersity. Results of these GPC analyses were compared to the ones calibrated against the commercially available polystyrene (PS) standards. The number‐average molecular weights (M_n) obtained with GPC using polyether polyols calibration were closer to the theoretical values than the M_n obtained using PS as calibration standards. Hence, these GPC analyses using polyether polyols as calibration standards can provide reliable determination of molecular weight distribution of polyether polyols and can be potentially applied to natural oil‐based polyols, including palm oil‐based polyols. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42698.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of ester‐type crosslinked epoxy resins derived from lignosulfonate and glycerol

Among various biomass‐based components, both lignin and glycerol are important, since they are abundantly produced as by‐products in industrial processes. Accordingly, in the present study, new types of crosslinked epoxy resins were synthesized from lignin and glycerol. Polymers derived from two types of lignin‐based crosslinked epoxy resins were prepared through two‐step reactions, ester‐carboxylic acid derivative preparation followed by crosslinked epoxy resin preparation, in order to establish a crosslinked epoxy resin system in which glycerol units were included. The resins obtained were labeled as follows: series 1, lignosulfonate‐glycerol polyacid (Ser1LSGLYPA); and series 2, glycerol diglycidyl ether (Ser2GLYDGE). The functional groups of the resins were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The thermal properties of the resins were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. The glass transition temperature of the crosslinked epoxy resins increased with increasing LSGLYPA and GLYDGE contents for Ser1LSGLYPA and Ser2GLYDGE, respectively. The thermal degradation temperature for Ser1LSGLYPA and Ser2GLYDGE did not show significant change, suggesting that the crosslinked epoxy resins were thermally stable. The mass residue at 500 °C was not affected by the changes of LSGLYPA and GLYDGE contents. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Production of Palm-Based Esteramine Through Heterogeneous Catalysis

This study involved maximizing the conversion of palm‐based methyl palmitate to esteramine, an intermediate for esterquats via transesterification with triethanolamine, aided by Ca–Al as a heterogeneous catalyst in a 500‐ml reaction unit. The effect of process parameters on the conversion was investigated. The optimum process parameters, consisting of a mole ratio of 1.8:1 (methyl palmitate:triethanolamine), 170 °C, 10 mbar, 0.5 % catalyst and a duration of 2 h, produced more than 90 % conversion. Transesterification employing Ca–Al is more environmentally friendly than the conventional approach using sodium methoxide, simplifies the downstream separation process and the reusability of the catalyst was successfully tested in three subsequent cycles.     

Comparison of Adipic Versus Renewable Azelaic Acid Polyester Polyols as Building Blocks in Soft Thermoplastic Polyurethanes

In this study, novel polyester diols of 2000 molecular weight (MW) were synthesized by reacting azelaic acid (AZ) with 1,3‐propanediol (1,3‐PDO) and diethylene glycol (DEG) in the esterification reaction catalyzed with a small amount of butyltintris(2‐ethylhexanoate). As a reference, polyester polyols of 2000 MW were synthesized from adipic acid (AA) with 1,3‐PDO and DEG. The properties of polyester polyols were evaluated. The polyester polyol based on AZ and 1,3‐PDO is 100 % renewable polyol; 1,3‐PDO used in the syntheses is renewable product produced by fermentation process of sugar. Both 1,3‐PDO‐polyester polyols exhibited crystalline transition above room temperature, while DEG‐polyester polyols were liquid at room temperature. The polyester polyols were chain‐extended with 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (Mondur M) and 1,4‐butanediol (BDO) to form thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU). TPU were evaluated for mechanical and water resistance properties, and their morphology were studied via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and atomic force microscope (AFM). TPU based on azelate and adipate polyols were relatively soft elastomeric materials with high melting temperatures. AFM analyses of TPU indicated better phase separation in 1,3‐PDO polyester polyols with the highest phase separation observed in TPU based on 1,3‐PDO/azelaic acid polyols. Water resistance of TPU based on azelate polyols was improved as compared to TPU based on adipate polyols.     

A Comparative Study on the Mechanical, Thermal and Morphological Characterization of Poly(lactic acid)/Epoxidized Palm Oil Blend

In this work, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) a fully biodegradable thermoplastic polymer matrix was melt blended with three different epoxidized palm oil (EPO). The aim of this research was to enhance the flexibility, mechanical and thermal properties of PLA. The blends were prepared at various EPO contents of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt% and characterized. The SEM analysis evidenced successful modification on the neat PLA brittle morphology. Tensile tests indicate that the addition of 1 wt% EPO is sufficient to improve the strength and flexibility compared to neat PLA. Additionally, the flexural and impact properties were also enhanced. Further, DSC analysis showed that the addition of EPO results in a decrease in T(g), which implies an increase in the PLA chain mobility. In the presence of 1 wt% EPO, TGA results revealed significant increase in the thermal stability by 27%. Among the three EPOs used, EPO(3) showed the best mechanical and thermal properties compared to the other EPO's, with an optimum loading of 1 wt%. Conclusively, EPO showed a promising outcome to overcome the brittleness and improve the overall properties of neat PLA, thus can be considered as a potential plasticizer.