Synthesis of Bio-based Polyurethane from Modified Prosopis juliflora Oil

Studies on the epoxidation of Prosopis juliflora seed oil were carried out to evaluate the optimum level of oxirane formation. On optimization of epoxidation of Prosopis juliflora oil (PJO), it was observed that at 60 °C and the mole ratio of double bond to the hydrogen peroxide to the acetic acid was 1:1.1:0.5 and at 2 wt% catalyst loading gave the maximum oxirane conversion. Further, epoxidized Prosopis juliflora oil (EPJO) was reacted with aminopropyltrimethoxysilane. Aminopropyltrimethoxysilanated Prosopis juliflora oil (ASPJO) was used as a polyol and was allowed to react with varying concentrations of isophorone diisocyanate resulting in polyurethane. The polyurethane films biodegradability was studied using phosphate buffer and proteinase K. The epoxidized oil was characterized by its epoxy value and FT-IR spectroscopy. Similarly, ASPJO was characterized by its amine value, FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Whereas the polyurethane coating was characterized by gel content, FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopic analysis and also evaluated for its chemical resistance, optical and mechanical properties.