Guest Editors
Dr. Ram K. Gupta, Associate Professor
Kansas Polymer Research Center & Department of Chemistry, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS 66762, USA
Dr. Ram Gupta is an Associate Professor at Pittsburg State University. Before joining to Pittsburg State University, he worked as an Assistant Research Professor at Missouri State University, Springfield, MO then as a Senior Research Scientist at North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC. Dr. Gupta’s research focuses on bio-based polymers and their composites, bio-derived polyols, rigid and flexible polyurethanes, flame retardant polyurethanes, thermoplastic, thermoset polymers, green energy production and storage using conducting polymers and composites, bio-compatible nanofibers for tissue regeneration, scaffold and antibacterial applications, bio-degradable metallic implants.
Summary
Due to increasing concerns about the environment protection, the
development of monomers/chemicals from renewable resources is highly
desired. Numerous efforts have been done for finding an alternative of
petroleum source to bio-based derivation. Green-based approach for
polymeric materials has initiated wide research over bio-based polyols
using vegetable oils. Polyols, which are organic compounds with multiple
hydroxyl groups possessing the ability to readily react with isocyanate
and form polymeric compounds. Polyols were synthesized by the
generation of multiple hydroxyl groups at the double bonds of vegetable
oils creating a higher degree of crosslinking and making for rigid
structural foams. Soybean oil, castor oil, canola oil, corn oil,
sunflower oil, cashew-based derivatives and many other sources used for
bio-based polyols.
This Special Issue "Recent Development on Bio-Derived Materials for
Polyurethane Foams" covers the development of rigid or flexible
polyurethane foams using bio-based materials. The scope of interests
includes but is not limited to the following topics:
● Green chemistry for sustainable future
● Synthesis of novel polyols
● Polyurethane foams
● Flame retardant polyurethane foams
● Polymeric nanocomposites
● Structure-property correlation
● Biodegradable polymers
● Processing and recycling of polyurethanes
Keywords
Green Chemistry; Bio-based polyols; Polymers; Polyurethanes; Flame retardant polyurethanes; Polymeric foams; Synthesis; Structure-property relationships; Processing; Recycling; Bio and environmental degradation