Thermal-driven cationic waterborne polyurethane crosslinker with oxime-based and catechol structure for the preparation of soybean protein-based adhesive with excellent adhesion properties

Recently, the research of waterborne polyurethane (WPU) as toughening matrix of soybean protein-based adhesives has attracted much attention. However, the intermolecular interaction between polyurethane and protein molecules is too weak to construct a compact crosslinking system to achieve strengthening and toughening adhesive systems. In this work, a thermal-driven cationic waterborne polyurethane (CWPOU) with oxime-isocyanate groups and catechol groups was synthesized. The obtained CWPOU emulsion was introduced into soybean meal (SM) matrix to fabricate a SM/CWPOU bio-adhesive. Thermal-driven elements in polyurethane molecules released isocyanate groups , increasing covalent crosslinking between crosslinker and protein molecules, synergies with non-covalent forces formed between catechol structures to improve the comprehensive bonding properties of the adhesives. As a result, the dry/wet bonding strengths of the modified adhesives were noticeably enhanced with the highest values observed (SM/CWPOU-4) reaching 169.6% and 191.4% that of pure SM adhesives, respectively. Furthermore, the hydrogen bonding provided by hard segments of polyurethane and noncovalent forces between catechol groups and wood substrates contributed to excellent cold-pressing performance of the bio-adhesives with a maximum value pleasantly reaching 298% that of pure SM. The mildew resistances of SM/CWPOU adhesives were attributed to bactericidal performance of the cationic structures and catechol groups in CWPOUs. This work provides an effective method to prepare the “green” and high-performance protein-based adhesives.