Safer Polyurethane Foams with Cyclic Carbonates

Polyurethanes (PUs) are a class of materials usually synthesized from isocyanates, diols, and water. Water is essential for producing carbon dioxide (CO2) which is used for the self-blowing of the foams. Due to safety concerns with the production of isocyanates, alternative chemistries have been evaluated and cyclic carbonate systems have shown great promise. In a recent advancement by Bourguignon, Grignard, and Detrembleur, a cyclic carbonate and diamine system is capable of generating CO2 for self-blowing through hydrolysis of the carbonate-based monomer. The authors demonstrate that with a simple variation of the diamine monomer a wide range of physical and thermo-mechanical properties were achievable. This work represents a significant step towards safer and more environmentally friendly PUs.