Ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters onto liquefied biomass

Ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters (epsilon-caprolactone, delta-valerolactone, and L-lactide) onto liquefied biomass (LB) was conducted to obtain the polyester-type polyol and to regulate the characteristics of LB. IR and H-1-NMR spectra of the obtained polyol showed that the polymerization was successfully conducted in the presence of acid catalyst, which is used in liquefaction. The molecular weight ( M-w), hydroxyl value, and viscosity were controllable by changing the reaction conditions. Polyester-type polyurethane foams with a wide range of properties were prepared from the obtained polyol with the appropriate combinations of foaming agents.