Abdulhameed Amusa, Abiodun and Mohd Razali, Nur Izzati and Ali, Fathilah and Tuan Ismail, Tuan Noor Maznee and Azmi, Azlin Suhaida and Jamaluddin, Jamarosliza (2025) Optimization of microwave-assisted polycondensation for flexible biodegradable polyurethane in sustainable packaging applications. Materials Today Communications, 44. p. 111878. ISSN 2352-4928
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Abstract
The proliferation of plastic waste presents a significant environmental challenge due to its persistence and ecological impact. This study explores biodegradable polyurethanes (PUs) as a sustainable packaging alternative, optimizing the microwave-assisted synthesis of polylactic acid (PLA)–diol from palm oil polyol and PLA under varying microwave power (500–700 W) and reaction times (30–45 minutes). Structural characterization was performed with proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H–NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Mechanical, thermal, and surface properties were investigated using tensile testing, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Over 100 days of biodegradation studies were conducted to evaluate their environmental impact. Structural analysis confirmed PLA–diol formation with 92 % yield and a molecular weight (Mn) of 2500 g/mol under optimal conditions (700 W, 45 minutes), compared to 85 % yield and 2000 g/mol at 500 W for 30 minutes. FTIR analysis revealed characteristic absorptions at 3500 cm⁻¹ (–OH) and 1750 cm⁻¹ (–Cdouble bondO), while ¹H–NMR confirmed key signals at 1.58 ppm and 5.16 ppm. Among synthesized PUs, toluene diisocyanate (PU–TDI) exhibited the highest tensile strength (2.90 MPa). In contrast, hexamethylene diisocyanate (PU–HDI) showed superior flexibility with 144.5 % elongation at break and superior thermal stability (melting temperature of 131°C). Biodegradation studies revealed that PU–HDI degraded by 28 % over 100 days, with SEM confirming significant surface erosion. These results demonstrate the potential of optimized biodegradable PUs to address plastic waste challenges and advance sustainable packaging solutions.
| Item Type: | Article (Journal) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Polyurethane, Microwave-assisted synthesis, Biodegradable plastic, Sustainable packaging, Polylactic acid (PLA)–diol, Biodegradation Green Chemistry |
| Subjects: | T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP1080 Polymers, plastics and their manufacture T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP155 Chemical engineering T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP200 Manufacture and use of chemicals |
| Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): | Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Biotechnology Engineering |
| Depositing User: | Dr Fathilah Ali |
| Date Deposited: | 27 Feb 2025 08:55 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Feb 2025 08:55 |
| URI: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/119879 |
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