The potential of soybean oil derived non isocyanate polyurethane/montmorillonite composites as green coating materials

Presently, pressing environmental and health concerns associated with conventional polyurethane (PU) production due to the use of toxic isocyanates have driven the demand for alternative solutions. This has led to the development of non-isocyanate PU, which offer a safer and more sustainable approach while maintaining the desirable properties of traditional PU. In light of this, we present the green synthesis of PU via non-isocyanate route, utilizing soybean oil as the raw material. This study aims to evaluate the impact of montmorillonite (MMT) nanofillers on the performance of PU as a coating material. Initially, soybean oil was converted to carbonated resins through epoxidation and carbonation reactions. Non-isocyanate PU was synthesized by reacting the carbonated soybean oil with an amine group. PU-MMT nanocomposite coatings were then prepared by using ultraviolet irradiation method. The resins and nanocomposites were characterized using spectroscopic, thermal, and surface coating analysis. Based on the findings, carbonated soybean oil was successfully obtained and the incorporation of MMT nano-fillers notably enhanced the anti-corrosion performance of the nanocomposite coatings. Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of producing PU without the use of isocyanate and highlights the potential of PU/MMT system as and effective coating materials.