Synthesis, structure and properties of poly(ester-urethane)s obtained using bio-based and petrochemical 1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol

In this paper, the poly(ester-urethane)s obtained using petrochemical and bio-based chain extenders were prepared and characterized. The influence of glycols' origin on the chemical structure, mechanical and thermal properties of the prepared polyurethanes was studied. The materials were synthesized by prepolymer method. The first step involved the reaction of a, x-dihydroxy(ethylene-butylene adipate) (POLIOS 55/20) with 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI). In the next step, obtained prepolymer terminated with isocyanate group was extended using 1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol at three different molar ratios of NCO group (presented in prepolymer chains) to OH groups (presented in chain extender structure), i.e., 0.95, 1.0 and 1.05. The results showed that applying the different types (diversified chemical structure and origin) of glycols results in obtaining materials with diversified mechanical properties and slight different thermal stabilities. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the chemical structure of the obtained polyurethanes was not affected by the presence of glycols with the same chemical structure and different origins (petrochemical and bio-based nature).