Copper Replaces Tin: A Copper based Gelling Catalyst for Poly-Urethane from Discarded Motherboard

TL;DR

This paper introduces an eco-friendly copper catalyst derived from discarded motherboards that effectively replaces traditional tin-based catalysts in polyurethane production, demonstrating industrial applicability and proposing a plausible reaction mechanism.

Contribution

The study presents a novel copper-based catalyst from waste electronics for polyurethane synthesis, replacing toxic tin catalysts and confirming its effectiveness through characterization and application.

Findings

Copper catalyst successfully replaces tin catalyst in polyurethane synthesis

Catalyst characterized by UV-Vis, FT-IR, TEM techniques

Polyurethane and foam produced under optimized conditions

Abstract

A discarded motherboard based eco-friendly copper catalyst has been programmed to replace the industrially used tin based catalyst DBTDL. The catalyst has been characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR and TEM. Using the catalyst reaction conditions is optimized and under the optimized condition, both polyurethane and polyurethane foam are prepared, thus proving the generality of the catalyst to be used in industries. A possible mechanism has also been proposed.