Synthesis of fatty acid-based non-isocyanate polyurethanes, NIPUs, in bulk and mini-emulsion

[Display omitted] •A series of reactive fatty acid-based (bis)carbonates were designed.•Bio-based non isocyanate polyurethanes were prepared at 60°C.•NIPUs latexes with solid content up to 30wt.% were achieved. The synthesis of fatty acid-based poly(hydroxy urethane)s, PHUs, was investigated. Bulk polymerization of fatty acid-based bis-carbonates with fatty acid diamine, Priamine® 1075, was first studied, allowing us to prepare non-isocyanate polyurethanes, NIPUs, at low temperature (60°C) and in few hours. Water-borne NIPUs latexes were then prepared with the same monomers through mini-emulsion process. Different surfactants and hydrophobic additives were tested in order to obtain stable emulsions and polymer particles. NIPUs latexes with solid content up to 30wt.% could be achieved. As a general trend, NIPUs prepared in mini-emulsion exhibited lower molar masses than the ones formed in bulk, phenomenon explained by the partial hydrolysis of cyclic carbonates.