Bio‐polyols synthesized by liquefaction of cellulose: Influence of liquefaction solvent molecular weight

Abstract

AbstractCurrently, the plastics industry including polyurethanes is based on the use of petrochemicals. For this reason, scientists are looking for new types of renewable resources for the substitution of petrochemical substances. This work aims to evaluate the effect of polyethylene glycols (PEG) with different molecular mass impact on properties of bio‐based polyols synthesized via biomass liquefaction of cellulose. To date, research has mostly focused on the use of different biomass sources, but the area of bio‐polyols synthesis with PEG with various molecular weights has not been explored in depth. For this reason, polyols were synthesized using PEG with a molecular weight in the range of 200–600 g/mol. Depending on the type of liquefaction solvent, the bio‐polyols showed a hydroxyl value of 519–652 mgKOH/g, a viscosity of 0.736–1.415 Pa∙s, and a water content below 1%. Observed difference may be related to change of reactivity of the PEG chains caused by steric hindrance of longer chains and the difference in the amount of reactive OH groups. These findings add substantially to understanding of the influence of liquefaction solvent molecular mass on the properties of new bio‐polyols and those of polyurethane materials.