Synthesize soybean oil-based polyols for polyurethane industries using a cost-effective method which will provide
polyurethane foams with improved physicomechanical properties and significantly reduced flammability with the use of
solvents, high temperature, multistep reactions or expensive chemical thus making this process very suitable for
commercialization.

1)Synthesis of soybean oil-based polyols using one-step, solvent-free, and low-temperature approach (cost-effective and suitable for commercialization)
2)Preparation of flame retardant polyurethane foams using above synthesized soybean oil-based polyols and flame retardant materials
3)Test the physicomechanical properties and flammability of the polyurethane foams
4)File a patent and commercialize the technology in partnership with Missouri SoybeanMerchandising Council (MSMC)

? Commercialization of industrial uses for soybeans, soybean meal, and soybean oil produced in Missouri, and
? New and novel uses of soybeans for commercial applications if the substantial market potential exists.

Updated April 27, 2021:
Polyurethanes are prominent sorts of polymeric materials that can be found within a plethora of commercial and industrial applications ranging from furniture, sound insulation, automotive, and coatings. The widespread use of polyurethanes can be attributed to the diverse range of synthetic feedstocks and preparatory methods used to manufacture both rigid and flexible foam derivatives, elastomers, and adhesives. Depending on the starting materials, the physical and mechanical properties of polyurethanes, e.g. density, flexibility, rigidity, etc., can be varied. The primary drawback of polyurethane foams is that they are overtly flammable.

In this project, we have shown that eco-friendly polyurethane foams using soybean oil can be prepared, and its flammability can be significantly reduced by adding cheap and green flame-retardants. Soybean oil was converted into polyol, a starting chemical for polyurethane, using a one step process that does not require high temperature, high pressure, and solvents.

The weight loss of the foams and burning time was significantly reduced even after adding only 0.93 % phosphorous in the foam. Additionally, no dripping was observed during the burn test, suggesting the high quality of the flame-retardant foams using soybean oil.

This work will provide a new pathway to utilize a large quantity of soybean oil and assuming incorporation of these polyols in polyurethane foams will generate a demand of over 20 million tons of soybean oil every year in the polyurethane industry alone providing greater value for the soybean farmers.