Novel Rigid Polyisocyanurate Foams from Synthesized Biobased Polyester Polyol with Enhanced Properties

Abstract

Novel rigid polyisocyanurate foams (PIR) produced from different polyesters polyols, such as a conventional fossil-based polyester polyol (as a reference) and a synthesized sorbitol-based polyester polyol, have been fully investigated. PIR foams were prepared by gradual substitution of the fossil-based polyester polyol by the biobased polyester polyol until a full substitution with adapted conditions. The foaming reactive process was monitored continuously to evaluate the impact of the temperature, the isocyanate trimerization, and the biobased polyester polyol on the foaming rate. The different foams were fully characterized and compared. Foams with 25 wt % of biobased polyester polyol show an impressive increase of 96% and 142% of their respective longitudinal and transversal Young’s modulus compared to the equivalent fossil-based reference. Mechanical properties of such foams are linked to their morphologies as they presented significant smaller cell sizes compared to the reference for a similar apparent density (30 kg/m3). The foams thermal conductivity, degradation, and flammability were also studied. Partially biobased foams show remarkable thermal conductivities until 22 mW/m K, whereas conventional values of equivalent fossil-based foams range from 23 to 30 mW/m K. Foams prepared with fully and potentially biobased polyol present the highest thermal resistance.

Thermal Insulating and Mechanical Properties of Cellulose Nanofibrils Modified Polyurethane Foam Composite as Structural Insulated Material

“…The mechanical strength of PUF was mainly ascribed to the closed-cells [37]. The defects on the closed-cells would greatly impair the mechanical performance of PUF.…”

On the use of solubility parameters to investigate phase separation-morphology-mechanical behavior relationships of TPU

“…HSP have also been used to predict miscibility in polymer blends, as reported by David and Sincock [39]. Furtwengler et al, as well as Zhang and Kessler [40,41] used Hansen' solubility spheres diagram obtained with HSPiP software to estimate compatibility between polyols to make stable emulsions with a view to manufacturing foams. This method has also been reported by Redelius to study compatibility of bitumen with different polymers, such as SBS, polyethylene sulfide or polyether sulfone [36].…”

Biobased polyurethanes for biomedical applications

“…Since some decades and by biotechnology, several new building blocks can be largely available such as some bacterial polymers or oligomers, furans or isohexides. As emerging technology and on agreement with some principles for a green chemistry, biobased PUs are slowly replacing fossil-based ones in many applications with an environmental gain in term of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) [ 188 ] in form of for instance, foams [ 189 ] membranes, or coating. The corresponding researches are mainly focused on developing and using these novative PU architectures (i) to replace conventional PUs, and/or (ii) to develop new biomaterials with enhanced properties, for the biomedical area.…”