APPLICATION OF GLYCERINE CARBONATE IN NOVEL

ONE-COMPONENT POLYURETHANE BLOCKED SYSTEMS

Nicholas Kob, Huntsman & Aisa Sendijarevic, Nirali Lathia, Troy
Polymers, Inc.

ABSTRACT

Glycerin carbonate (GC) is a new product having 73% bio-content, and is a unique
hydroxyl-functional carbonate having carbonate and hydroxyl reactive sites. Each reactive site
opens pathways to utilize GC in polyurethanes. One component PU systems blocked with GC are
fully polymerized when reacted with amines. This is an advantage to conventional blocked
systems which release blocking group when polymerized. In this study, blocked one component
polyurethane systems of carbonate (GC) functional urethane adduct and amines were prepared
and polymerized into films. In addition to bio-content, the hydroxyl group in the hard segment
enhances hydrogen bonding and improves strength of the cured material. The curing of GC-
adduct with amines and properties of the films, including stress-stain properties and glass
transition, were studied.

INTRODUCTION

Coating compositions containing blocked isocyanates are commonly used in the coating
industry for the production of one-component coatings (1). Because the isocyanate groups are
blocked the formulation is stable under storage conditions enabling a one component package.
Blocked isocyanate formulations find use in many coatings applications such as electrodeposition
coating, powder coating, electrical wire, and automotive coatings. Blocked isocyanates offer
flexibility and can be used in both solventborne and waterborne systems. In the simplest terms a
blocking agents reacts with an isocyanate conventional blocking agents preventing the
isocyanate from reacting; then by heating and presence of co-reactants and catalyst a release of
the blocking agent from the isocyanate occurs and the coating is formed that contains free
blocking group. This liberation of the blocking agent is one of the disadvantages of use of
conventional blocked isocyanate formulations. The temperature at which deblocking occurs
depends on several variables and is greatly influenced by the choice of blocking group, Figure 1.

Figure. 1. Deblocking Temperatures

for Blocked Aliphatic Isocyanates
Temperature in ºC
100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180

ε-Caprolactam
MEKO
1,2,4-Triazole
DIPA
DMP
Diethyl malonate

Catalyzed with 1 % DBTL No catalyst

It is desirable to have blocked coating systems which cure with minimal energy (lower
temperature) and do not release the blocking agent upon cure.
Glycerine carbonate (GC) is a new 5-membered cyclic carbonate which is made from
renewable glycerine and has the structure shown in Figure 2:

Figure 2: Huntsman Glycerine Carbonate

Glycerine carbonate is readily biodegradable, non-toxic, and has a renewable content of 76% (2).
It is unique compared to other cyclic carbonates in that is has two reactive sites (carbonate ring
and pendant hydroxyl group). Each reactive site as well as their combination opens numerous
possibilities to utilize glycerine carbonate in polyurethane applications. This study focus on the
application of glycerine carbonate in a one component (blocked type) polyurethane coating
system where it is reacted with isocyante to form a carbonate functional adduct (blocking agent).
This carbonate functional adduct is reacted with amines to cure and form a urethane coating as
shown in Figure 3 (3,4,5). This novel system is shown to have several advantages as compared
to conventional blocked systems:
• GC system does not de-block, rather it becomes part of the urethane matrix.
• Glycerine carbonate system cures at lower temperature below 100 C.
o

• Glycerine carbonate cured system contains pendant hydroxyl group in hard segment
which can improve coating adhesion or be used as a grafting site.

Figure 3: GC Urethane Chemistry

EXPERIMENTAL

Chemicals
The chemicals used in this study are shown in Table 1. The polyols were demoisturized
at 1-3 mmHg with continuous mixing at 70°C. The solvent (ethyl acetate) used in the film
preparation was dried over molecular sieves.

Table 1. Raw Materials

Designation Identification Supplier

POLYOLS
Polyester diol, Bayer
Desmophen S-1028-115
eq.wt.490
Polyester polyol (diol) Huntsman
Millester 24-57
eq.wt.984
Polyoxypropylene glycol, Huntsman
Jeffol PPG-2000
eq.wt.1000
EO-capped PPG-diol, Huntsman
Jeffol PPG-3706
eq.wt.1934
Jeffsol Glycerine Carbonate Glycerin carbonate, Huntsman
(1.5% Glycerine)
Glycerin carbonate, Huntsman
Jeffsol Glycerine Carbonate
(3.0% Glycerine)
Polyoxypropylene glycol Arch Chemicals
Poly-G 20-112
eq.wt.500
Castor oil-based diol, Vertellus
Polycin D-140
eq.wt.400
Polyoxypropylene glycol, Bayer
Arcol PPG-4000
eq.wt.2000
AMINES
Ethylene diamine, Huntsman
EDA
eq.wt.30
Tetraethylenepentamine, Huntsman
TEPA
37.9
Triethylenetetramine, Huntsman
TETA
eq.wt.36.7
ISOCYANATES
80/20-TDI, BASF
Lupranate T-80 TDI (2,4/2,6)
eq.wt.87.1
Isophorone di-isocyanate Bayer
IPDI
Eq.wt.112
TDI- polyether prepolymer, Air Products
Airthane PET-70D
eq.wt.500
MDI (2,4’/4,4’) Huntsman
Rubinate 3050
eq.wt.125
CATALYSTS
Dabco T-12 Dibutyltin dilaurate Air Products
PTB Potassium tert-butoxide Alfa Aesar
Synthesis of glycerine carbonate (GC) adducts
The NCO-prepolymers were prepared by reacting isocyanates and polyols at 70°C to
80°C in a heated reaction kettle which was equipped with stirrer under continuous flow of dry
nitrogen. Prepolymer synthesis was monitored via NCO% determination (di-n-butyl amine titration
method, ASTM D-2572).
When synthesis was completed glycerin carbonate was added to the prepolymer (in
equimolar ratio) via dropping funnel and reaction was continued at 70°C to 80°C. The reaction
was completed when NCO% was reached zero or very close to zero. All bis-urethane adducts
(GC-adducts) formed in this reaction were liquid at 70°C. The viscosity of adducts was measured
via Rheometrics. Infra-red analysis (IR) was utilized to confirm conversion of isocyanate
prepolymers into adducts.

Curing study
Potassium tert-butoxide (PTB) catalyst solution was prepared by dissolving 5g of solid
PTB into 20g of methanol yielding 25% solution (6).
Curing of AD-10 will be described as an example: 100g of adduct AD-10 solution in ethyl
acetate (81% solid) was mixed with 62g of ethyl acetate to obtain 50% solution. 48.3g of 50%
solution, which contains 24.1g (0.028eq.) of AD-10 was added into 200g cup suited for Speed
Mixer. Afterwards, 1g of PTB catalyst solution and 1.06g (0.028eq.) of tetraethylenepentamine
(TEPA) were added into cup. The cup with catalyst solution was mixed with Speed Mixer machine
for 3 minute. 20-25 ml of this solution was coated into thin film of 20-25 mil thickness via Dr.
Blade. Initial sample (zero time) for IR analysis was taken from solution just after mixing. The
films were left at room temperature or placed in the oven at selected curing temperature. A piece
of film was taken periodically, the sample dissolved in chloroform, spread over KBr plate and IR-
spectra recorded. The ratio of absorbance of carbonate group at 1800 cm-1 divided by
absorbance of aromatic group at 1600cm-1 was calculated as a quantitative measure of
conversion of carbonate group in the reaction with amine.

Film preparation and testing

Polyurethane film based on PC-carbonate were prepared as above and cured in air-
circulated oven at 70°C or 100°C.Thicker films about 1mm, were cast into rectangular Teflon
coated mold of 5x5 inches and cured in air-circulated oven at 100°C for 24 hours. The films were
then remelted at 270°F using Laboratory Carver press to create sheets free of bubbles.
Bulk polymerization: 72g of 50% solution of GC-adduct AD-11 and 2.76g of propylene
carbonate were added into Speed Mixer cup, mixed and placed in vacuum oven at 70°C for 16
hours to remove solvent. 2.04g of TEPA was added to the cup and mixed via Speed mixer for 30
seconds. The resin was cast into 1mm Teflon coated mold preheated at 100°C and placed in
hydraulic Carver press to cure at 100°C for 24 hours. The sheet was elastomeric, opaque and
free of bubbles.
DSC spectra were measured on DSC calorimeter Universal V4.1D TA instrument at the
heating rate of 10°C. The DSC spectra were taken in temperature interval -70°C to 300°C.
Tensile strength and elongation at break of selected films were measured via Instron Tester
according to ASTM D 412.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION

GC- Adducts
The list and composition of adducts prepared in this study is shown in Table 2. The
adducts (AD) were based on aromatic isocyanates (TDI and MDI) and cycloaliphatic isocyanate
(IPDI). Polyether diols of different molecular weights (1000, 2000 and 4000 MW) and polyester
polyol of 1000 and 2000 MW were used as a flexible segment. All adducts were liquids at 70-
80°C, and some of the adducts were viscous liquids at room temperature with decreasing
viscosity at increasing temperature. They can be used without solvent in the application that allow
or require elevated temperatures. The adducts are soluble in commonly used solvents that are
used in coatings application. It should be noted that the synthesis off the GC-adduct was
controlled well via NCO% determination. The synthetic procedure was similar to that in
preparation of urethane NCO-prepolymers. Adducts AD-1 and AD-9 (shown in Table 2) were
prepared using the same prepolymer, but using two grades of GC that contain different
concentration of glycerin. This was done to observe what if any effects are observed over the full
glycerine carbonate product glycerine specification range (with 3% being the upper glycerine
spec in glycerine carbonate). As expected, the adduct AD-9 that contains 3% of glycerin had
higher viscosity as compared to adduct AD-1 prepared with GC that contains 1.5% glycerin.
In Adducts 10 and 11 small amount of solvent was added during the second step of
synthesis due to their high viscosity. It could be expected that viscosity of MDI-based adducts is
higher than those based on TDI or IPDI.
FTIR was used in characterization of the GC-adducts. The absorption of NCO-group of
prepolymer is at 2300 cm-1 and urethane at 1730cm-1. Carbonate absorption of adduct is
recorded at about 1800 cm-1 and urethane groups at 1730 cm-1. The formation of the GC
adduct can be easily followed by disappearance of the isocyanate stretch and appearance of the
carbonate stretch.

Curing study
FTIR method was used as a method to study curing, the carbonate stretch at 1800cm-1
is lost as the GC adduct cures. The curing of GC-adduct is taking place at 70°C that is
significantly lower than with other conventional types of blocked isocyanates, which cure at 100-
180°C, Figure 1.
Quantitative data of curing of AD-3 (TDI/PPG 1000) was studied by following the ratio of
carbonate absorption to aromatic absorption as a quantitative measure of curing. The curing at
room temperature was sluggish. However, the curing was good with high functional, low
equivalent weight TETA and TEPA as shown in Figure 3. This indicates that increased
crosslinking enhances curing of GC-adducts. This could be possible associated with the nature of
polymer hard segment that is long and flexible. The hard segment has two -O- groups, and
pendant hydroxyl group. The curing of AD-10 that is based on MDI/PPG1000 is shown in Figure
4. The curing of AD-10 with TEPA crosslinker appears to be faster than that with AD-3 (TDI
based PPG 1000 system). The curing rate increased with increasing PTB-catalyst concentration
from 1% to 2%. The results of the study indicate that curing of GC-adducts appears to be
controlled by the type of amine-cross linker and catalyst and by the type of isocyanate used to
prepare adducts.
It should be noted that cured films were transparent and colorless. If necessary,
antioxidants and other additives can be added to resin to stabilize color by time.
Limited curing evaluation was carried out with cycloaliphatic isocyanate-based adducts (
AD-1 and AD-4). Screening tests with EDA indicated slow cure.
Other types of catalyst were tested, including T-12 and Dabco T-45, but these failed to
accelerate curing of GC-adducts.
 Table 2: Composition of GC-Adduct (AD)

Adduct AD-1 AD-2 AD-3 AD-4 AD-5 AD-8 AD-9 AD-10 AD-11
identification
First step –
prepolymer
formation
TDI (2,4/2,6) (g)
69.7 174 36.75 179.2
IPDI (g)
179.2 182 179.2
Rubinate 3050
(MD)(g) 203.8 127.7
Poly G R-20-112
(g) 500 800 800 407.6
Jeffol PPG 2000
(g) 800 400
Jeffol 3706
(g) 400
Desmophen
S-1028-115, (g) 400
Millester 24-57 (g)
492.1
Polycin D-140 (g) 0.01%

Dabco T-12
0.01% 0.01%
Time of reaction (h) 4 h; 3.5 h; 3 h; 1.5 h; 4 h; 4 h; 3 h; 2 h;
Temperature ( °C) 80°C 75°C 75°C 115°C 80°C 80°C 80°C 70°C
NCO%
3.6 3.8 6.2 1.7 3.6 3.6 5.6 3.4

Consistency at RT Liquid Liquid Liquid Gel Liquid Liquid Liquid liquid liquid

Second step-
GC adduct
formation
Prepolymer ( g) 200 g
200 469.7 200 436 prepol. 200
+18.66g
IPDI
GC (1.5%
glycerine) , ( g) 19.6 47.5 34.8 24.5 39.3 57.6 54.3
GC (3% glycerine),
(g) 18.1
Time of reaction (h) 6h 16 h 3h 16h 3h 3h 2h 2 h
Temperature (°C) 80°C 80°C 75°C 80°C 70oC 70oC 70oC

Consistency at RT Viscous Viscous Solid Solid Very Very Solid Solid

liquid liquid viscous viscous
Adduct viscosity, Viscous Viscous
RT( cps) 169344 171990 ND Liquid Liquid
at 70°C at 70°C
Viscosity, 50°C,
(cps) 9699 15150 76531 1128676
(flow)
 Figure 3: TDI-based GC- Adduct Curing

Figure 4: MDI-based GC-Adduct Curing

DSC
DSC spectra of GC-adducts showed a glass transition temperature, Tg, of flexible
segment at about -25°C, depending on the composition of GC-adduct. The second transition
temperature was at about 150°C and higher and is associated with softening or melting
temperature. Overall, DSC spectra indicate two phase morphology, similar as other types of
polyurethanes.

Stress-strain properties
Stress-strain properties of cured GC-adducts are shown in Table 3 and are all TEPA
cured. MDI/polyester-based AD-11 films exhibited higher strength than MDI/polyether-based AD-
10 films, as could be expected. Cured samples exhibited relatively high elasticity, as measured by
elongation at break. MDI-based systems were prepared also with propylene carbonate (PC) as
co-reactant. The addition of (PC) to the adduct prior cure could have two benefits: (1) PC can be
used as a plasticizer to lower viscosity of GC-adducts; (2) propylene carbonate will increase
urethane concentration in hard segment and should increase strength of cured polymer. The
tensile strength improved in the samples that contain PC, due to increased hard segment
concentration. AD-11 cured at 100°C exhibited higher tensile strength than those cured at 70°C
and 150°C. AD-11 that was cured in bulk was slightly stronger than that cured in solvent.
These results indicate that the tensile strength of cured GC-adducts could be improved by
altering formulation and curing condition of GC-adducts. The optimization, as needed, could be
considered in future studies.

Table 3. Stress-strain properties of GC-adducts cured with TEPA

Sample ID Temperature Tensile Strength % Strain at Max % Strain at Break
o
( C) (psi) Load

AD-10* 70 182 257 557

AD-11 70 251 919 936
AD-11* 70 586 1156 1175
AD-11* 100 675 1156 1156
AD-11* 150 565 766 767
AD-11* 100 bulk 713 764 764
* contains propylene carbonate prior curing

CONCLUSIONS

• GC-adducts were prepared by reacting glycerin carbonate with NCO-prepolymers. Their

structure was confirmed with IR-spectroscopy.
• GC-adducts based on aromatic and aliphatic isocyanates and polyols (polyether and
polyester) of different molecular weight were prepared.
• The consistency of adducts depends on their composition. All adduct were liquid at 70°C.
Some adducts are viscous liquid at room temperature. The viscosity decreased by
temperature.
• The adducts are cured with polyamines of high functionality and low equivalent weight.
The curing increased from RT to 70°C and 100°C.
• There was none to sluggish cure at room temperature.
• The curing is accelerated with DBA catalyst.
• Strength properties of cured adduct depend on their composition.
REFERENCES

1. G.M. Carlson at all.: Cure Kinetics Characterization of Blocked Isocyanate Containing

Coatings by FT-IR and Thermal-Mechanical Analysis, Advances in Urethane Science and
Technology, Vol. 9, p.47 (1984).
R
2. JEFFSOL GLYCERINE CARBONATE, Technical Bulletin, Huntsman Corporation.
3. John H. Clements: Reactive Application of Cyclic Alkylene carbonates. Ind. Eng. Chem.
Res. 42, 4, (2003)
4. John M. Whelan, Jr., at all.: Multiple Cyclic Carbonate Polymers, U.S. Pat. 3,072.613,
1963.
5. Aldo Bosetti, Vercelli at all.: Process for Synthesis of Aromatic Urethanes,
U.S. Pat. 6,034, 265, 2000.
6. Albert Gordon Anderson: Preparation of Hydroxy Urethanes, U.S. Pat. 5, 977,262, 1999.
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