Synthesis of fatty acid-based Non-Isocyanate Polyurethanes, NIPUs, in bulk and mini-emulsion

International audienceThe synthesis of fatty acid-based poly(hydroxy urethane)s, PHUs, was investigated. Bulk polymerization of fatty acid-based bis-carbonates with fatty acid diamine, Priamine® 1075, was first studied, allowing us to prepare non-isocyanate polyurethanes, NIPUs, at low temperature (60 °C) and in few hours. Water-borne NIPUs latexes were then prepared with the same monomers through mini-emulsion process. Different surfactants and hydrophobic additives were tested in order to obtain stable emulsions and polymer particles. NIPUs latexes with solid content up to 30 wt.% could be achieved. As a general trend, NIPUs prepared in mini-emulsion exhibited lower molar masses than the ones formed in bulk, phenomenon explained by the partial hydrolysis of cyclic carbonates