Abstract
The demand for fuels as raw materials is increasing disproportionally, thus producing huge environmental impacts, as is the case of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Nowadays, society is facing several challenges, including the implementation of new technologies that are able to meet energy needs and promote sustainable development. Therefore, one of the most commonly produced and used polymers worldwide, polyurethane, which is currently completely dependent on fossil fuels, could be developed in an environmentally sustainable way. In this regard, CO2 may be used for the synthesis of new materials, such as for the production of polyols, essential components in the manufacture of polyurethane.
This work focused on the synthesis of polyurethane adhesives containing polyols from CO2. They were synthesised with 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and 1,4-butanediol as a chain extender. The sustainable polyurethane adhesives derived from carbon dioxide were characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric tests (TGA). Finally, the adhesion properties were measured from a T-peel test on leather/polyurethane adhesive/ SBR rubber joints, in order to establish the amount of CO2-based polyol that could be added to polyurethane adhesives satisfactorily to meet the quality requirements of footwear joints.
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