Polyurethane Foams from Cellulosic Waste and Natural Oil-based Polyols – a Modified Approach

• Published in: Polymers from renewable resources Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 85 - 107
• Main Authors: Mishra, D, Sinha, V.K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shropshire Sage Publications Ltd. (UK) 01.04.2013; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Cellulose; Chemical processes; Compressive properties; Foamed materials; Foams; Insulation; Materials; Plastic foams; Polyols; Polyurethane; Polyurethane foam; Polyurethane resins; Polyurethanes; Production processes; Thermal properties; Waste management; Waste materials; Wastes; India
• ISSN: 2041-2479; 2041-2479
• DOI: 10.1177/204124791300400203

A modified approach was used to prepare polyurethane (PU) foams employing natural oil-based polyols. Functionalized polyols with different hydroxyl values were synthesized from glycoside obtained from waste paper and reacted with natural oils viz. castor oil and soy oil. The obtained polyols were used to prepare the TDI-adduct based foams. Their physical and thermal properties were studied and compared using compression tests and thermogravimetric analysis; their cellular structures were also investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Processing parameters such as cream, rising and gel times were determined for the reactivity of the prepared polyols. Confirmation of PU linkage was performed by FTIR. The prepared PU foams demonstrated compressive properties ranging from 0.2 to 1.2 MPa and microscopic studies of the foam cell structure indicated its possible use for insulation purposes.