Microwave-assisted Glycolysis of Rigid Polyurethane Foam Waste Using 2-Methyl-1,3-propanediol for the Synthesis of Functional Polyester Polyols and Polyurethane Coatings

Vandana Jamdar; Devesh Sane; Pratik Dhokare; Anagha Sabnis

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3767-6

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Microwave-assisted Glycolysis of Rigid Polyurethane Foam Waste Using 2-Methyl-1,3-propanediol for the Synthesis of Functional Polyester Polyols and Polyurethane Coatings

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-10-10

- Microwave-assisted Glycolysis of Rigid Polyurethane Foam Waste Using 2-Methyl-1,3-propanediol for the Synthesis of Functional Polyester Polyols and Polyurethane Coatings
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Pages: 1-13(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  a.Somaiya School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Vidyavihar (E), Mumbai-400077, India
  b.Department of Polymer & Surface Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology Nathalal Parekh Marg, Matunga (E), Mumbai-400019, India
- Author bio：
  
  as.sabnis@ictmumbai.edu.in
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3767-6
  CLC：
- Received：01 April 2026，
  
  Revised：2026-05-25，
  
  Accepted：02 June 2026，
  
  Online First：10 October 2026，
  
  Published：15 November 2026
- Accepted：
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Jamdar V.; Sane, D.; Dhokare P.; Sabnis A. Microwave-assisted glycolysis of rigid polyurethane foam waste using 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol for the synthesis of functional polyester polyols and polyurethane coatings. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3767-6

Vandana Jamdar, Devesh Sane, Pratik Dhokare, et al. Microwave-assisted Glycolysis of Rigid Polyurethane Foam Waste Using 2-Methyl-1,3-propanediol for the Synthesis of Functional Polyester Polyols and Polyurethane Coatings[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-13.
Jamdar V.; Sane, D.; Dhokare P.; Sabnis A. Microwave-assisted glycolysis of rigid polyurethane foam waste using 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol for the synthesis of functional polyester polyols and polyurethane coatings. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3767-6 DOI：

Vandana Jamdar, Devesh Sane, Pratik Dhokare, et al. Microwave-assisted Glycolysis of Rigid Polyurethane Foam Waste Using 2-Methyl-1,3-propanediol for the Synthesis of Functional Polyester Polyols and Polyurethane Coatings[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-13. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3767-6.

摘要

Abstract

Polyurethane (PU) foams are extensively utilized in various industries owing to their lightweight

excellent thermal insulation

and robust mechanical properties. However

their widespread use generates significant quantities of waste

which poses serious environmental and disposal challenges. In this study

rigid PU foam was effectively depolymerized

via

microwave-assisted glycolysis

using 2-methyl-1

3-propanediol (MP-diol) as the glycolysis agent and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as the catalyst. The depolymerization process was systematically optimized by varying the reactant ratio

catalyst concentration

reaction temperature

and microwave power. The resulting oligomeric product (PUF-O) was characterized by physical

chemical

and spectroscopic analyses. Subsequently

a series of polyester polyols (PEs) was synthesized by partially and fully replacing neopentyl glycol with an oligomeric product in formulations containing adipic acid and phthalic anhydride. These PEs further reacted with commercial polyisocyanates to form polyurethane coatings. Characterisation was conducted to analyse the optical

mech

anical

chemical

and anticorrosive properties of the cured films were characterized. The PUF-O-based polyols exhibited performance comparable to those synthesized using conventional raw materials

demonstrating the feasibility of incorporating recycled PU foam into high-performance coating systems. This work not only provides a sustainable strategy for recycling PU waste but also offers a viable route to value-added products.

关键词

Keywords

references

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