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Polyurethane Materials for Multifunctional Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 2213

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: polymer synthesis; polyurethanes; polylactide; biodegradable polymers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Technology Leskovac, University of Nis, 16000 Leskovac, Serbia
Interests: polyurethanes; waterborne PU; biodegradable materials; polymer synthesis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recently, polyurethanes (PUs) have attracted a great deal of research interest due to their segmented block copolymeric character, which endows them with a wide ranging versatility in terms of their physical properties and biocompatibility. The production of polyurethanes (PUs) with specific functional properties is possible through the appropriate selection of the type and concentrations of reactive components (polyol and isocyanate), and building on advances in PU chemistry research. These combinations enable a material with specific mechanical parameters as well as different levels of resistivity and biocompatibility, depending on the needs of the final application, to be obtained. Consequently, PU materials can be tailored to the desired and most specific applications. According to the survey conducted by Covestro in 2019, the global demand for PUs had reached an estimated 18.4 million tons, and is forecast to increase to 22.5 million tons by 2024. This means that, in 2021, the PU market reached a value of more than USD 80 billion.

Polyurethane-based materials may be available in different forms: flexible or rigid foams and uses including one-component and two-component adhesives, sealants, elastomers, polyurethane coatings, and medical and biomedical devices. Owing to their biocompatibility, possible biodegradability (PUs based on renewable resources), excellent mechanical strength, and adjustable physical forms, PUs deployed to serve a wide range of applications, especially in the field of biomedicine, have garnered significant research attention in recent years. The synthesis of biocompatible polyurethane is of immense interest in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields; however, the properties of these materials must be fine-tuned in order to prevent negative effects on the surrounding tissue. Initially used for long-term implants, now a new class of bioresorbable polyurethane materials has been developed.

This Special Issue is fully aligned with the objectives of the sustainable development of new classes of polymers, particularly the adherent scientific and industrial priorities, through the development of innovative PU materials for high-value applications. This means that the development of new, safer, and more sustainable alternatives in many applications enables the development of innovative products that seek to fulfil the needs of contemporary society. 

Dr. Ivan Ristic
Prof. Dr. Suzana M. Cakić
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polyurethanes
  • biobased polymer
  • 3D printable PU
  • biodegradable PU
  • biomedical PU
  • coatings
  • shape memory polymer

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 5076 KiB  
Article
High-Value and Environmentally Friendly Recycling Method for Coal-Based Solid Waste Based on Polyurethane Composite Materials
by Xu Li, Yang Liu, Mingyi Li, Sitong Zhang, Lan Jia, Fengbo Zhu and Wenwen Yu
Polymers 2024, 16(14), 2044; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16142044 - 17 Jul 2024
Viewed by 495
Abstract
This study aims to provide a high-value and environmentally friendly method for the application of coal-based solid waste. Modified fly ash/polyurethane (MFA/PU) and modified coal gangue powder/polyurethane (MCG/PU) composites were prepared by adding different contents of MFA and MCG (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%). [...] Read more.
This study aims to provide a high-value and environmentally friendly method for the application of coal-based solid waste. Modified fly ash/polyurethane (MFA/PU) and modified coal gangue powder/polyurethane (MCG/PU) composites were prepared by adding different contents of MFA and MCG (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%). At the filler content of 30%, the compressive strengths of MFA/PU and MCG/PU are 84.1 MPa and 46.3 MPa, respectively, likely due to an improvement in interface compatibility, as indicated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The MFA/PU and MCG/PU composites present their highest limiting oxygen index (LOI) values of 29% and 23.5%, respectively, when their filler content is 30%. MFA has advantages in improving the LOIs of composites. Cone calorimetry (CCT) and SEM demonstrate that the two composites exhibit similar condensed-phase flame-retardant behaviors during combustion, which releases CO2 in advance and accelerates the formation of a dense barrier layer. Compared with the MFA/PU composites, the MCG/PU composites could produce a more stable and dense barrier structure. Water quality tests show that heavy metals do not leak from FA and CG embedded in PU. This work provided a new strategy for the safe and high-value recycling of coal-based solid waste. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polyurethane Materials for Multifunctional Applications)
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20 pages, 8247 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Polycaprolactone-Based Polyurethanes with Enhanced Thermal Stability
by Jasna V. Džunuzović, Ivan S. Stefanović, Enis S. Džunuzović, Tijana S. Kovač, Dušan P. Malenov, Andrea Basagni and Carla Marega
Polymers 2024, 16(13), 1812; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16131812 - 26 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1083
Abstract
The benefit of being acquainted with thermal properties, especially the thermal stability of polyurethanes (PU), and simplified methods for their improvement is manifold. Considering this, the effect of embedding different amounts of unmodified and surface-modified TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) within PU, based on [...] Read more.
The benefit of being acquainted with thermal properties, especially the thermal stability of polyurethanes (PU), and simplified methods for their improvement is manifold. Considering this, the effect of embedding different amounts of unmodified and surface-modified TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) within PU, based on polycaprolactone (PCL) and Boltorn® aliphatic hyperbranched polyester, on PU properties was investigated. Results obtained via scanning electron microscopy, swelling measurements, mechanical tests and thermogravimetric analysis revealed that TiO2 NPs can be primarily applied to improve the thermal performance of PU. Through surface modification of TiO2 NPs with an amphiphilic gallic acid ester containing a C12 long alkyl chain (lauryl gallate), the impact on thermal stability of PU was greater due to the better dispersion of modified TiO2 NPs in the PU matrix compared to the unmodified ones. Also, the distinct shape of DTG peaks of the composite prepared using modified TiO2 NPs indicates that applied nano-filler is mostly embedded in soft segments of PU, leading to the delay in thermal degradation of PCL, simultaneously improving the overall thermal stability of PU. In order to further explore the thermal degradation process of the prepared composites and prove the dominant role of incorporated TiO2 NPs in the course of thermal stability of PU, various iso-conversional model-free methods were applied. The evaluated apparent activation energy of the thermal degradation reaction at different conversions clearly confirmed the positive impact of TiO2 NPs on the thermal stability and aging resistance of PU. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polyurethane Materials for Multifunctional Applications)
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