Synthesis of polyurethanes membranes from rubber seed oil and methylene diphenyl diisocyanates (MDI)

Abstract

Rubber seed oil and methylene diphenyl diisocyanates (MDI) based polyurethane membrane has been prepared in this study. The main objective of this research is manufacture of polyurethane membranes from avocado seed oil, as a filter of this membrane use as a filter of metals from water such as mercury (Hg). In this study, the polyurethane membrane had been synthesized by varying compositions of rubber seed oil and MDI, with ratios of 10:0.2; 10:0.4; 10:0.6; 10:0.8; 10:1.0; 10:1.2; 10:1.4; 10:1.6; 10:1.8 and 10:2.0 (v/w) at 80°C and 170°C as polymerization and curing temperatures, respectively. Optimum polyurethane membrane was obtained at rubber seed oil: MDI 10: 0.8 v/w, it was dry, non-sticky, smooth and blackish brown. The membrane flux was 5,8307 L / m2.h.bar and rejection factor was 35,3015 %. The results of characterization indicated the formation of urethane bonds (NH at 3480 cm-1, C=O at 1620 cm-1, CN at 1374 cm-1, -OC-NH- at 1096 cm-1 and no -NCO at 2270 cm-1), the value of Tg was 55°C. The polyurethane membrane which treated at the optimum treatment conditions were used to the filter of metals from water such as mercury (Hg).