Preparation and Characterization of Footwear Soling Materials Based on Biodegradable Polyurethane

The aim of this research work is to prepare biodegradable polyurethane composites and study their physical, mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation properties. Rigid biodegradable polyester-based polyurethane was synthesized by reacting excess of isocyanate with poly(ε-caprolactone)diol to obtain prepolymer which was then reacted with chain extender. The polyurethane composites are prepared with nanoclay and titanium(IV)oxide nanopowder in different concentrations, and polyurethane containing 2% w/w of nanopowder had shown better properties. Biodegradation studies showed that the developed polyurethane materials when used as shoe soles will retain their strength while storage and use, but will decompose only after disposal into the environment.