Abstract
The composition of crude algal oil was analyzed and determined by several methods. Oil was converted to polyols by ozonolysis, epoxidation, and hydroformylation. Ozonolysis gave a polyol with lighter color but a low OH number and was unsuitable for polyurethane applications. Epoxidation also improved the color and gave a polyol with an OH number around 150 mg KOH/g, which with diphenylmethane diisocyanate gave a homogeneous, rubbery, transparent sheet. Desirable rigid foams were prepared with the addition of water to the formulation. Hydroformylation was carried out successfully giving an OH number of about 150 mg KOH/g, but the polyol was black. Casting the polyurethane sheet was difficult due to the very high reactivity of the polyol. Polyurethane foam of lower quality than from epoxidation polyol was obtained. More work on optimization of the foaming system would improve the foam. Crude algal oil is a viable starting material for the production of polyols. Better results would be obtained from refined algal oils.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Algal Biofuels EERE Information Center (2010) www.eere.energy.gov/informationcenter
ALGAL OIL (CHLORELLA) GRAS NOTICE, College Park, MD2010, www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/gras_notices/GRN000331.pdf
Cohen Z, Ratledge C (eds) (2005) Single cell lipids. AOCS Press, Champaign
Cert A, Moreda W, Pérez-Camino MC (2000) Chromatographic analysis of minor constituents in vegetable oils. J Chromatogr A 881:131–148
Petrović ZS, Zhang W, Javni I (2005) Structure and properties of polyurethanes prepared from triglyceride polyols by ozonolysis. Biomacromolecules 6:713–719
Petrović ZS, Zlatanić A, Lava CC, Sinadinović-Fišer S (2002) Epoxidation of soybean oil in toluene with peroxoacetic and peroxoformic acids-kinetics and side reactions. Eur J Lipid Sci Technol 104:293–299
Zlatanić A, Lava C, Zhang W, Petrović ZS (2004) Effect of structure on properties of polyols and polyurethanes based on different vegetable oils. J. Polym Sci Polym. Phys 42:809–819
Cvetković I, Milić J, Ionescu M, Petrović ZS (2008) Preparation of 9-hydroxynonanoic acid methyl ester by ozonolysis of vegetable oils and its polycondensation. Hem Ind 62:319–328
Petrović ZS, Milic J, Xu Y, Cvetković I (2010) A chemical route to high molecular weight vegetable oil-based polyhydroxyalkanoate. Macromolecules 43:4120–4125
Guo A, Zhang W, Petrović ZS (2006) Structure-property relationships in polyurethanes derived from soybean oil. J Mater Sci 41:4914–4920
Guo A, Javni I, Petrović Z (2000) Rigid polyurethane foams based on soybean oil. J Appl Polym Sci 77:467–473
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture/USDA (2010-38924-20706).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
About this article
Cite this article
Petrović, Z.S., Wan, X., Bilić, O. et al. Polyols and Polyurethanes from Crude Algal Oil. J Am Oil Chem Soc 90, 1073–1078 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-013-2245-9
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-013-2245-9