Hybridization and Functionalization of Aqueous-based Polyurethanes

Conventional solvent-based polyurethane (PU) is well established for wide applications, such as textile treatments, surface coating, adhesive and so on. Due to the demands of safety, economic, and environmental protection, the solvent-based PU is restricted and has been phasing out and aqueous-based PU is becoming the world market trend, which is an environmental friendly product. The chemical resistance, physical and mechanical properties of aqueous-based PU are still not competible with solvent-based PU. Because of aqueous-based PU is a linear thermoplastic polymer with lower average molecular weight. Their improvements are normally performed by a post-curing reaction or a polymer hybridization to enhance the polymer cross-linking density. Hybridization of PU with aqueous-based epoxy resin or acrylate emulsion and then cured by a curing agent for improving the performance properties and reducing the cost of aqueous-based PU.Furthermore, a special function is added to aqueous-based PU increasing the application value, for examples, flame retardation, polymeric dyes, hydrophilic and etc.