Valorization of the Isocyanate-Derived Fraction from Polyurethane Glycolysis by Synthesizing Polyureas and Polyamides

The isocyanate-derived fraction resulting as the bottom phase from the split-phase glycolysis of conventional polyurethane flexible foams has been given a new life based on the formation of amine-based polymers (polyureas and polyamides). For that purpose, the bottom phase was first hydrolyzed, prod...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Amo León, Jesús del, Bravo , Paula, Alashry , Mennatallah M, Tejeda Sojo, Juan, Rodríguez Romero, Juan Francisco, Borreguero Simón, Ana María
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
Repositorio:RUIdeRA. Repositorio Institucional de la UCLM
OAI Identifier:oai:ruidera.uclm.es:10578/39684
Acceso en línea:https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c05482
https://hdl.handle.net/10578/39684
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:circular economy
flexible polyurethane foams
glycolysis
polyamides
polyureas
toluenediamine
Descripción
Sumario:The isocyanate-derived fraction resulting as the bottom phase from the split-phase glycolysis of conventional polyurethane flexible foams has been given a new life based on the formation of amine-based polymers (polyureas and polyamides). For that purpose, the bottom phase was first hydrolyzed, producing toluenediamine and diethylene glycol, and further subjected to controlled vacuum distillation in order to recover both products separately. The hydrolysis reaction and the separation process conditions were determined and optimized, obtaining products with a purity comparable to that of commercial ones. Then, the recovered diethylene glycol was used in a new glycolysis process, obtaining a split-phase product with properties similar to those obtained using commercial diethylene glycol. Finally, the recovered toluenediamine was used in the synthesis of polyureas and polyamides. Both syntheses were modified with respect to the state of the art, replacing benzene with limonene in the synthesis of polyamides, which implies environmental improvements.