Design and Synthesis of Conducting Polymer Bio-Based Polyurethane Produced from Palm Kernel Oil
Muhammad Abdurrahman Munir, Khairiah Haji Badri, Lee Yook Heng, Ahlam Inayatullah, Hamid Alkhair Badrul, Emelda Emelda, Eliza Dwinta, Nurul Kusumawardani, Ari Susiana Wulandari, Veriani Aprilia, Rachmad Bagas Yahya Supriyono
Abstract
Polyurethane (PU) is a unique polymer that has versatile processing methods and mechanical properties upon the inclusion of selected additives. In this study, a freestanding bio-based polyurethane film the screen-printed electrode (SPE) was prepared by the solution casting technique, using acetone as solvent. It was a one-pot synthesis between major reactants, namely, palm kernel oil-based polyol and 4,4-methylene diisocyanate. The PU has strong adhesion on the SPE surface. The synthesized bio-based polyurethane was characterized using thermogravimetry analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), surface area analysis by field emission scanning electron microscope, and cyclic voltammetry. Cyclic voltammetry was employed to study electrocatalytic properties of SPE-polyurethane towards oxidation of PU. Remarkably, SPE-PU exhibited improved anodic peak current as compared to SPE itself using the differential pulse voltammetry method. Furthermore, the formation of urethane linkages (-NHC(O) backbone) after polymerization was analyzed using FTIR and confirmed by the absence of peak at 2241 cm-1 attributed to the sp-hydridized carbons atoms of C≡C bonds. The glass transition temperature of the polyurethane was detected at 78.1°C.