Polyurethane catalyst can be traced back to the early 20th century. The following are the main development stages and important milestones of polyurethane catalysts:
1, initial research (1930s -1950s): In the 1930s and 1940s, researchers began to explore methods for the preparation of polyurethanes. Initially, the synthesis of polyurethane 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. Diformate catalysts (1960s-1970s): in the 1960s In the 1990s, researchers developed new catalysts, such as dicarboxylate (DMA) catalysts. DMA catalysts can promote the formation of polyurethane and increase the rate of polymerization. The introduction of this catalyst has made the industrial production of polyurethane more cost-effective.
3. Organotin catalysts (1980s): In the 1980s, organotin catalysts became An important breakthrough in the preparation of polyurethanes. 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 catalyst (1990s-present): In order to reduce the adverse impact on the environment , researchers began to look for lead-free catalysts to replace organotin catalysts. Aiming at this goal, many lead-free catalysts have been developed, including amino acid salts, organic base 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, researchers Committed to improving the performance of catalysts. They conducted in-depth studies on the activity, selectivity, stability, and durability of catalysts, and improved the performance of catalysts through structural optimization and functional improvement.
6. Expansion of application field: With the wide application of polyurethane, the application field of polyurethane catalyst Also 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 enable polyurethane materials to meet the performance and quality requirements of different application fields.
7. Environmentally friendly catalysts: In recent years, with environmental protection and sustainable development With increasing attention, researchers are working to develop more environmentally friendly polyurethane catalysts. These catalysts contain no harmful metal or organotin components and are highly effective in polyurethane synthesis. This trend will continue to promote the development of polyurethane catalysts to meet the requirements of sustainable and green manufacturing.
It should be noted that the development of polyurethane catalysts is a continuous 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.
