This work presents an eco-friendly synthetic pathway toward non-isocyanate poly­(carbonate-urethane)­s (NIPCUs) obtained from carbon dioxide and its simple derivativesorganic carbonates. Bis­(hydroxyalkyl carbamate)­s synthesized from ethylene carbonate and appropriate α,ω-diamines were used as polyurethane hard segment precursors while oligocarbonate diols as soft segment ones. The structures and properties of the obtained NIPCUs were explored by means of 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopies, MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry, DSC, and mechanical testing. Based on spectroscopic data as well as model reactions, it was demonstrated that the formation of the urea bonds was suppressed due to the presence of carbonate moieties. The reaction of urea bonds with carbonate residues led to urethane group formation. In addition, the influence of the polyurethane structure on the mechanical and thermal properties of the obtained polymers was studied. The obtained NIPCUs exhibited mechanical properties comparable to conventional polyurethane elastomers (e.g., a tensile strength of 32 MPa and an elongation at break of 800%). The described synthetic route is an straightforward way toward the replacement of conventional polyurethanes with environmentally friendly ones.

The presented research focuses on the synthesis and structure–properties relationship of poly(carbonate-urea-urethane) (PCUU) systems including investigations on shape memory effect capability. Furthermore, we approached the topic from a broader perspective by conducting extensive analysis of the relationship between the synthesized compounds and the results of computer simulations by means of the Monte Carlo method. For the first time, by using a unique simulation tool, the dynamic lattice liquid model (DLL), all steps of multi-step synthesis of these materials were covered by the simulations. Furthermore, broad thermal, mechanical, and thermomechanical characterization of synthesized PCUUs was performed, as well as determining the shape memory properties. PCUUs exhibited good mechanical properties with a tensile strength above 20 MPa, elongation at break around 800%, and an exhibited shape memory effect with shape fixity and shape recovery ratios above 94% and 99%, respectively. The dynamic lattice liquid model was employed to show the products and their molar mass distribution, as well as monomer conversion or the dispersity index for individual reaction steps. The results obtained in the following manuscript allow the planning of syntheses for the PCUUs of various structures, including crosslinked and soluble systems, which can provide a broad variety of applications of these materials, as well as a better understanding of the composition–properties relationship.

This article reports the preparation and characterization of CO 2 sorbents based on hyperbranched polyglycerol containing trimethylammonium hydroxide groups. The influence of humidity and temperature on the capture/release properties of the sorbents is presented. The presence of humidity showed to be critical for the absorption of carbon dioxide. The full sorption capacity was achieved for a moderate relative humidity of 20−40%. Investigated materials were capable of capturing up to 42 mg of CO 2 per gram in the form of bicarbonate moieties. Approximately 20% (up to 8.2 mg/g) of this amount could be then reversibly desorbed and absorbed under various conditions. The typical size of the humidity or temperature swing was estimated to be in the range of 0.9−1.1 mg of CO 2 per 1 g per hour. In the case of humidity swing, the absorption and desorption times were on comparable levels. In the case of thermal desorption, a short temperature impulse was only needed to fully regenerate the bed. The presented results show that the release of captured CO 2 is also possible under dry conditions, which supports the old bicarbonate/ carbonate-exchange mechanism. For humid conditions, both old and recently published new mechanisms may be applied, showing that the nature of this process is more complex than expected and depends on many inter-related factors. The investigated sorbents showed to be stable for several capture/release cycles and are promising materials for CO 2 capture.