• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.531-542
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• 2012

The thesis covers the trend of research on bio-based polyurethane which is made from polyols derived mainly from plant oils and isocyanates. Castor oil is a triglyceride of ricinoleic acid containing hydroxyl group. Hydroxylation is done on the unsaturated bonds of the oils by the reactions of epoxidation/ring opening, hydroformylation/hydrogenation, ozonolysis/hydrogenation, and thiol-ene reaction. Polyols from hyperbranch, primary alcohol, polysaccharide have been studied to control the reactivity of the polyol and morphology of the microdomains. Besides, researches cover biodegradable polylactic acid polyol for medical use, fatty acid dimer polyol for the prevention of hydrolysis, and polyol with ionic group for water-borne polyurethane. Bio-based polyurethanes are being used in flexible and rigid foams, coatings, sealants, and elastomers.