Shoot Kian Yeong

Urethane-forming reaction kinetics of natural oil polyols versus petroleum-based polyether polyol

Urethane-forming reaction kinetics of isocyanate with natural oil polyols (NOPs) with pendant reactive hydroxyls was compared to that of the petroleum based polyether polyol with terminal hydroxyls. The non-catalyzed urethane forming kinetic study in toluene shows lower activation energy for pendant hydroxyls of the synthetic and naturally occurring NOP compared to terminal hydroxyls of the polyether polyol. At low temperatures in the non-catalyzed reaction in toluene, the NOPs showed higher reactivity with isocyanate, which was correlated with faster gel time in bulk polymerization. However, in toluene, the reactivity of polyether polyol increases at a faster rate with temperature, and in toluene and bulk reactions the polyether polyol shows higher response to dibutyltin dilaurate catalyst. The results indicate that relative reactivities of NOPs compared to polyether polyols are not necessarily lower in urethane forming reactions, and in fact under certain conditions can be higher, which needs to be taken into consideration during the incorporation of NOPs in polyurethanes.

One-pot preparation of three-component oil-in-water high internal phase emulsions stabilized by palm-based laureth surfactants and their moisturizing properties

In the present study, olive and olein oils had been used for the preparation of three-component high internal phase emulsions with oil volume fraction of more than 0.77 stabilized by palm-based laureth surfactants for the first time, respectively. These emulsions were easily prepared by one-pot homogenization. The critical micelle concentration and Gibbs energy of the as-synthesized surfactants were determined and discussed. Likewise, the morphology, structural properties, stability and hydration efficacy of the as-prepared emulsions were investigated. Droplet size distribution observed from the optical micrographs was in agreement with the light scattering results which suggested that droplet size increased with increasing ethylene oxide chain length. The rheological measurements of the emulsions at room (25°C) and elevated (40°C) temperatures were interpreted to give clear and direct explanation on the structure and stability of the emulsions. The hydration efficacy of the emulsions was examined in vivo using a corneometer. Both the emulsions containing olive and olein oils, respectively exhibited high stability as indicated by the rheological measurements and the structural properties did not differ from one another. However, olein oil’s hydration efficacy was higher than olive oil’s, suggesting that olein oil could well be a potential moisturizing lipid which might interest the dermatologists.

Three-Component Olive Oil-In-Water High Internal Phase Emulsions Stabilized by Palm Surfactant and Their Moisturizing Properties

In the present study, olive oil was used for the preparation of three-component high internal phase emulsions with oil volume fraction of more than 0.77 stabilized by palm-based polyoxyethylene lauryl ether for the first time. These emulsions were investigated on their morphology, structural properties, stability, and hydration efficacy. Droplet size distribution observed from the optical micrographs was in agreement with the light scattering results, which suggested that droplet size was influenced by oil phase and surfactant concentrations. Rheological results exhibiting flow curves cross-over implied structural build-up that gave rise to high stability which was supported by stable three-month storage at an elevated temperature. The hydration efficacy of the emulsion was examined in vivo using a corneometer.

Synthesis and characterization of polyurethanes made from copolymers of epoxidized natural oil and tetrahydrofuran.

Polyols were synthesized from epoxidized natural oils and tetrahydrofuran through ring opening copolymerization catalyzed by Lewis acid. The properties of these polyols depend on the type of natural oils as well as the reaction conditions (monomer concentration, catalyst amount, reaction temperature and reaction time). These polyols were evaluated as a raw material for making polyurethane (PU) in order to understand the structure-property relationship between a natural oil and PU made from it. The tensile test analysis shows that the incorporation of natural oil moiety into the PU polymer network improves the elasticity of these PU samples when compared to a benchmark PU sample. In addition, the PU samples made from palm oil and soybean oil based polyols exhibit better tensile strength than benchmark PU. These polyols samples are suitable for making elastomeric PU, where high flexibility (high elongation at break) of PU is a common requirement.

Palm Oleochemicals in Non-food Applications

Publisher Summary Palm oil is currently one of the most sustainable and important key base stocks for “Modern” or “Green” industry due to its high productivity rate as compared to other crops. The main feedstocks for oleochemicals are coconut oil and tallow, resulting in oleochemicals having fatty acid moiety of even numbered saturated carbon chain lengths. However, between 1985 and 1995, the significance of tallow was greatly reduced because of the BSE disease outbreak. Palm stearin has since replaced tallow in many applications and now becomes the major feed stock for oleochemicals. However, only about 10%–15% of palm oil is used for non-food application. Out of this, about 70% is used as surfactant either in food or non-food application. Palm oil is first converted into basic oleochemicals such as fatty acid, glycerol, methyl esters, fatty alcohols, and fatty amines. These basic oleochemicals will serve as building blocks for many other chemicals.