Sustainable, Degradable, and Flame-Retardant Polyurethane Elastomer Enabled by Sustainable Chain Extender and Reactive Fire-Retardant

Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a polyurethane elastomer exhibiting outstanding mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties, including high mechanical performance, intrinsic flame retardancy, strong adhesion capability, and aqueous and acid degradability.

Specifically, a xylose-derived degradable chain extender (DHGX) and a P/N-containing reactive flame retardant (BHP) are rationally engineered into the polyurethane backbone to prepare the target elastomer (PU-DHGX-BHP). The as-prepared PU-DHGX-BHP exhibits a high tensile strength of 11.5 MPa, together with a high elongation at break of 1018% and a high toughness of 46.9 MJ m^–3. Moreover, PU-DHGX-BHP achieves a V-0 flammability rating and demonstrates self-extinguishing behavior within 0.5 s.