Polyurethane green composites with varying amounts viz., 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 wt% of finely powdered ginger spent have been fabricated. The fabricated polyurethane/ginger spent green composites have been performed for mechanical properties such as surface hardness and tensile behaviours. The swelling behavior of the composites has been studied in different organic solvents. Improvement in tensile behaviors of the polyurethane/ginger spent composites were noticed up to 7.5 wt% of ginger spent content. Thermogravimetric analysis of the green composites has been carried out in order to determine the thermal stability and their mode of thermal degradation behaviour. The thermogravimetric analysis curves of polyurethane/ginger spent composites indicated three-step thermal degradation processes, suffers no weight loss up to 193℃ and completely degrades at around 540℃. Thermal degradation kinetic parameters such as energy of activation (Ea) have been calculated for the green composites using two mathematical models namely Coats–Redfern and Broido’s models. The microcrystalline parameters such as crystal size (<N>) and lattice strain have been computed using wide-angle X-ray scattering data. The structure-property relationship of the polyurethane/ginger spent composites has been established on the basis of these parameters.

With an objective to investigate the influence of nanoclay (NC) on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of polyurethane (PU) in the presence of 5 wt% of ginger spent (GS), PU/GS/NC nanocomposite films were fabricated by a solution intercalation method with varying amounts, namely 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt%, of NC. The fabricated PU/GS/NC nanocomposite films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties such as the tensile strength, tensile modulus, percentage elongation at break, and surface hardness have been performed for nanocomposites. FT-IR and XRD analysis show the nature of the NC interaction with the PU matrix, whereas SEM images show agglomeration of NC and entanglement of polymer chains with NC with an increase in the NC content. It was found that the tensile strength of the biocomposites increased from 4.5 to 13.7 MPa, tensile modulus increased from 8.2 to 14.3 MPa, and surface hardness increased from 70 to 77 shore A, whereas the percentage elongation at break decreased from 155.2% to 100.5%. Static water contact angle measurements on the surface of the PU/GS/NC nanocomposites reveal a reduction in surface polarity by way of changes in the contact angle from 76.83 • to 55.24 • , whereas surface energy increased from 88.36 to 102.11 mJ/m 2 with an increase in the NC content. With an increase in the NC content, the chemical resistance of the green composites in different chemical environments improved. Thermal analysis by a thermogravimetric analyzer indicates improvement in thermal stability with an increase in the NC content. C

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A series of castor oil (CO)-based polyurethanes (PUs) were prepared by reacting CO with toluene diisocyanate (TDI) in the presence of coconut oil (CCO). The effects of CCO content viz., 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt% on the physico-mechanical properties and chemical structure of PUs have been evaluated. The mechanical properties of the PUs indicate that the incorporation of CCO improves the tensile behaviors. The swelling behaviors of the PUs have been studied in organic solvents. The microcrystalline parameters, such as crystal size () and lattice disorder (g), of PUs have been estimated using wide-angle X-ray scattering studies. The results of tensile behaviors were corroborated with the microcrystalline parameters of the PUs. For a holistic view of the parameters involved in these systems, we have carried out the multivarient analysis that gives a better perspective of the result. C

Ecological concern on accumulation of neutraceutical industrial waste material and the demands for newer composite materials have promoted extensive research on utilizing industrial wastes materials. Therefore, in the present study finely powdered ginger spent (GS), filled polyurethane (PU) green composites with varying amount viz., 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt % of GS have been fabricated. The prepared PU/GS green composites have been characterized for their mechanical properties, density and void content. Interaction between filler and matrix has been confirmed from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies. Moisture absorption and desorption studies have been performed at different relative humidity (RH). The moisture absorption and desorption studies, shows that as the hydrophilic GS content increases in the matrix the RH also increases. Water uptake behavior of PU/GS were measured in different chemical environments such as 5% sodium chloride solution, cold water at different temperature and in hydrochloric acid solution. The water uptake values increases as increase in GS concentration. Equilibrium water content, diffusivity and equilibrium time taken for all PU/GS composites have been investigated. Biodegradation studies reveals that as the GS content increases the weight loss also increases. Thermal properties have been performed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). From DSC and DMA thermograms it is revealed that increase in T g with increase in GS content. RH and contact angle measurement have been performed to understand the hydrophilic nature of the prepared composite. The morphological behavior of composites has been studied using scanning electron microscopy.