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Water‐Blown Rigid Biofoams from Soy‐Based Biopolyurethane and Microcrystalline Cellulose
Author(s) -
Luo Xiaogang,
Mohanty Amar,
Misra Manju
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of the american oil chemists' society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1558-9331
pISSN - 0003-021X
DOI - 10.1007/s11746-012-2100-4
Subject(s) - materials science , thermogravimetric analysis , microcrystalline cellulose , flexural strength , composite material , thermal stability , dynamic mechanical analysis , polyol , flexural modulus , glass transition , cellulose , polyurethane , soybean oil , compressive strength , chemical engineering , polymer , chemistry , food science , engineering
A novel soy‐based polyurethane biofoam (BioPU) from two polyols (soybean oil‐derived polyols SOPEP and petrochemical polyol Jeffol A‐630 = 1:1 in weight) and poly (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) (pMDI) has been prepared by using a free‐rise method with water as a blowing agent, and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as a reinforcement. The photographs of the samples show that the biofoams have similar appearances, and the cell morphology of the resulting biofoams was examined by scanning electron microscope. Density of the composites decreased as a result of increase in MCC content. FTIR study exhibited characteristic peaks for MCC and BioPU. Mechanical properties such as compressive strength, compressive modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus of the samples were substantially improved with the increase in MCC content. Similarly, improvements in glass transition temperature ( T g ) and storage modulus around and after T g of the neat biofoam were also observed with the composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis results showed an improvement in mechanical properties as well as better thermal stability of the composites over the neat biofoam. Thermogravimetric analysis showed improved thermal stability of the biofoams reinforced with MCC. This research has provided a simple method for preparing the biofoam, while exploring the potential of substituting up to 50 % of the petroleum‐based polyol in biofoam applications.