(157c) Sustainable Bio-Based PU Materials from Lignin and Other Biomolecules

Polyurethanes (PU) are versatile polymeric materials available with a wide range of properties and forms. However, conventional PU materials are petrochemical products derived from fossil fuel resources. there is a growing interest in exploring renewable feedstock as building blocks to increase sustainability. In this presentation, several novel green chemical pathways for making bio-based PU systems containing different types of biomolecule precursors are highlighted. Lignin was explored as bio-based polyols to make lignin-based PU foams capable of rapid clean-up of crude oil spills with outstanding adsorption capacities, while these bio-based PU foams could also be degraded in alkaline environments after usage to reduce secondary pollution concerns. A new strategy of catalyst‐free direct synthesis of covalent adaptable network polyurethanes from lignin with editable shape memory effect was also successfully developed. Moreover, a new family of fully bio-based shape memory PU materials was obtained by synthesizing a bio-based diisocyanate from abietic acid and a novel bio-based chain extender derived from vanillin and alaninol amino acid. These bio-based PUs exhibited excellent thermal-induced functional shape memory responses combined with a good degradability. The research results included here showcased excellent promises of using lignin and other biomolecules to produce bio-based PU materials as more sustainable replacements of fossil fuel derived products.