Tai NL, Ghasemlou M, Adhikari R, Adhikari B. Starch-based isocyanate- and non-isocyanate polyurethane hybrids: A review on synthesis, performance and biodegradation.
Carbohydr Polym 2021;
265:118029. [PMID:
33966823 DOI:
10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118029]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The challenges related to the persistence of plastics in natural ecosystems fostered strong interest in developing biodegradable bioplastics. Among natural biopolymers, starch gained both academic and industrial interest owing to its impressive physicochemical properties. The use of starch in production of polyurethane (PU) composites not only yields PUs with outstanding mechanical properties but also makes the final PU products biodegradable. The hydrophilic nature of starch limits its dispersion in hydrophobic PU polymers, although it is a significant benefit in creating starch-embedded non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) composites. We present a comprehensive overview to highlight important strategies that are used to improve the compatibility of starch with various PU matrices. This review also gives an overview of the recent advances in the synthesis of starch-NIPU hybrids. Moreover, we aim to deliver critical insight into strategies that boost the biodegradation characteristics of PUs along with a discussion on various methods to assess their biodegradation.
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