Oligomeric composition of palm olein-based polyols: The effect of nucleophiles

Abstract

Increasing environmental concerns have led to significant breakthroughs in developing vegetable oil-based polyols, including palm olein-based polyols (POoPs). The effect of nucleophiles (water, monol, linear and branched diols) on oligomeric compositions and properties of polyols derived from epoxidized palm olein (EPOo) was investigated. Conversions of EPOo to POoPs were confirmed by FTIR analysis, oxirane oxygen content and hydroxyl number measurements. GPC calibrated against polyether polyols was used to determine the formation of oligomers of the polyols. Functionalities of POoPs prepared with linear diols were higher than the branched diol determined using GPC and VPO. Lower degree of oligomerization was observed in polyols prepared with water and methanol compared to polyols made with diols. POoPs prepared using water, methanol and 1,2-propanediol (PG) produced 100% secondary hydroxyls polyols, while reaction with linear diols, polyols with mixture of primary and secondary hydroxyls in the range of 26–36% and 64–74%, respectively were produced. Viscosity and glass transition temperature of POoP PDO, prepared from 1,3-propanediol (PDO) were higher than POoP PG, prepared from PG, 7789 mPa.s and -15.2°C compared to 3649 mPa.s and -20.8°C, respectively.

Practical Applications: The POoPs described in this study, i.e. polyols from epoxidized palm olein ring-opened with water, methanol, 1,2-ethanediol (EG), 1,2-propanediol (PG), 1,3-propanediol (PDO), 1,4-butanediol (BDO), 1,5-pentanediol (PTDO) and 1,6-hexanediol (HDO), provide selection of a wider range of vegetable oil-based polyols for development of partially biobased polyurethane products such as binders, elastomers and flexible foams.

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