Facile preparation of degradable multi-arm-star-branched waterborne polyurethane with bio-based tannic acid

In this research, biodegradable multi-arm-star-branched waterborne polyurethanes (MWPUs) were prepared by incorporation of bio-based material (tannic acid, TA) in the structure of waterborne polyurethanes. The prepared MWPUs were characterized by UV-vis spectrometry and FT-IR spectrometry, confirming the presence of TA in MWPUs. The results of DSC and TGA demonstrated that the incorporation of TA remarkably enhanced the thermal stability of MWPUs. The mechanical strength test indicated that the Young's modulus and tensile strength of the waterborne polyurethanes after incorporation of TA were significantly improved due to the increase of structural rigidity, hydrogen bonding and the molecular interactions of the TA-based MWPU chains. In addition, the synthesized TA-based MWPUs also exhibited excellent antioxidation capacity and outstanding biodegradation property. Given these excellent properties and the sustainability of TA, the developed TA-based MWPUs exhibited great potential in a wide range of practical applications.