Biomass Polyester Diol–Based Polyurethane Dispersions Synthesized Using a Solvent-Free Process for Textile Coating Applications

Solvent-free polyurethane dispersions (PUDs), which disperse without the use of organic solvents, present a sustainable alternative for textile coating applications. The release of organic solvents into the environment has raised concerns because of their association with extreme weather events and their deleterious effects on human health. This study used an ecofriendly solvent-free process, along with polyester polyols derived from corn and other natural materials, to synthesize a series of PUDs with varying biomass contents (60, 50, 40, 30, and 0 wt.%). The successful synthesis of PUDs was verified using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and experiments were performed to determine their mechanical and thermal properties, nanoparticle characteristics, zeta potential, physical stability, and textile coating applications. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of the synthesized PUDs for enhancing the performance of textiles.