Polyurethane Catalyst ‘s development history can be traced back to the early 20th century. The following are the main development stages and important milestones of polyurethane catalysts:
1. Early stage Research (1930s-1950s): In the 1930s and 1940s, researchers began to explore methods for preparing polyurethane. Initially, polyurethane synthesis was carried out using metal salt catalysts such as tin chloride and cobalt chloride. However, these catalysts have low activity and are not environmentally friendly.
2. Dicarboxylate catalyst (1960s-1970s): In the 1960s, researchers developed new catalysts such as dicarboxylate (DMA) catalysts. DMA catalyst can promote the formation of polyurethane and increase the polymerization reaction rate. The introduction of this catalyst makes the industrial production of polyurethane more cost-effective and efficient.
3. Organotin catalyst (1980s): 1980s, Organotin catalysts have become an important breakthrough in the preparation of polyurethane. For example, the combination of imine-based compounds and organotin catalysts is widely used in the preparation of polyurethane foams. Organotin catalysts exhibit high catalytic activity and selectivity in polyurethane synthesis.
4. Lead-free catalysts (1990s-present): In order to reduce the Due to the adverse effects on the environment, researchers began to look for lead-free catalysts to replace organotin catalysts. Towards this goal, many lead-free catalysts have been developed, including amino acid salts, organic alkali salts and organic bismuth compounds. These lead-free catalysts exhibit good catalytic activity and environmental friendliness in polyurethane synthesis.
5. Optimization of catalyst performance: With the increasing demand for polyurethane applications Increasingly, researchers are working to improve the performance of catalysts. They conducted in-depth research on the activity, selectivity, stability and durability of the catalyst, and improved the performance of the catalyst through structural optimization and functional improvement.
6. Expansion of application fields: With the wide application of polyurethane, polyurethane The application fields of catalysts are also constantly expanding. Polyurethane catalysts are widely used in the preparation of polyurethane foams, elastomers, coatings, adhesives, sealants, fibers and various plastic products. The development and optimization of catalysts enables polyurethane materials to meet the performance and quality requirements of different application fields.
7. Environmentally friendly catalysts: In recent years, with the emphasis on environmental protection and sustainability concerns increase, researchers are working to develop more environmentally friendly polyurethane catalysts. These catalysts do not contain harmful metals or organotin components and can achieve highly efficient catalytic effects during polyurethane synthesis. This trend will continue to drive the development of polyurethane catalysts to meet the requirements of sustainability and green manufacturing.
It should be noted that the development of polyurethane catalysts is an ongoing process . With the advancement of science and technology and changes in demand, we can expect the emergence of more new catalysts to promote the continuous innovation and development of polyurethane preparation technology.
