Sustainable polyurethane production from polyol of hydroxypropylated cassava starch

Abstract

This study explores the sustainable production of polyurethane (PU) materials using polyol derived from hydroxypropylated cassava starch. Hydroxypropylation, conducted under high-temperature and high pressure conditions in an autoclave reactor, yielded a high conversion of starch to polyol over time, alongside residual potassium hydroxide (KOH), both of which are critical for PU synthesis. FTIR analysis confirmed the successful formation of PU, with characteristic bands indicating urethane linkages. However, SEM/EDS analysis revealed the presence of potassium crystals, which may hinder the foaming process. Despite this, the work demonstrates the potential of hydroxypropylated starch as a renewable alternative to petroleum-based polyols, aligning with green chemistry principles and the obtention of more sustainable materials.