Synthesis and Properties of Waterborne Polyurethane (WBPU)/Modified Lignin Amine (MLA) Adhesive: A Promising Adhesive Material

A series of waterborne polyurethane (WBPU)/modified lignin amine (MLA) adhesives was prepared using MLA as a chain extender by a prepolymer mixing process. A successful Mannich reaction was achieved during the synthesis of MLA by reacting lignin with bis(3-aminopropyl)amine. Higher tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and thermal stability were recorded for WBPU/MLA adhesives with higher MLA contents. The WBPU/MLA adhesive materials were used to coat polyvinyl chloride (PVC) substrates. The adhesive strength increased with increasing MLA content. More importantly, the MLA also enhanced the WBPU/MLA coating in terms of adhesive strength at moderately high temperatures as well as under natural weather exposed conditions. The adhesive strength was essentially unaffected with 6.48 mol % MLA in the WBPU/MLA coating after exposure to natural weather conditions for 180 days.