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Adv Mater. 2018 May;30(18):e1706237. doi: 10.1002/adma.201706237. Epub 2018 Mar 15.

Design and Synthesis of Waterborne Polyurethanes.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

Soo-Young Kang, Zhaoxia Ji, Ling-Fang Tseng, Sara A Turner, Dinara A Villanueva, Rhiannon Johnson, Ariana Albano, Robert Langer

Affiliations

  1. Living Proof, Inc., Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
  2. Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
  3. Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
  4. David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
  5. Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.

PMID: 29543353 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201706237

Abstract

Waterborne polyurethanes (WBPUs) have attracted increasing attention in a wide range of industrial applications because of their versatile properties as well as ecofriendly nature. Although extensive research has been carried out on WBPU synthesis, the roles of some of the key synthesis components remain unclear. In this study, through systematically controlling and fine tuning the precursor compositions and reaction conditions, over 300 WBPUs are synthesized. This research enables the roles of several key components that govern WBPU physicochemical properties and ultimately the potential WBPU applications to be identified. Using hair styling as an example, it is demonstrated that only the WBPUs with an optimal range of properties (e.g., Young's modulus >150 MPa, elongation at break: 15-300%, moisture uptake <10%) can achieve strong styling performance. To further improve the natural-feel sensory benefits in the final styling products, a number of fatty acids with different carbon chain lengths or unsaturation levels are incorporated into WBPUs. Among the ten fatty acids studied, linoleic acid is identified as the most preferred additive. Both in vitro and in vivo testing demonstrate that WBPUs with optimal properties are promising materials for developing strong, long-lasting styling products with natural feel.

© 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Keywords: hair styling; mechanical properties; moisture uptake; physicochemical properties; waterborne polyurethanes

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