High Functionality Bio-Polyols from Tall Oil and Rigid Polyurethane Foams Formulated Solely Using Bio-Polyols

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Sustainable Chemistry
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Traditional rigid polyurethane (PU) foams rely heavily on petrochemical feedstocks.
• There is a growing demand for sustainable and bio-based alternatives in the insulation industry.
• Developing high-performance insulation from renewable resources is crucial for reducing environmental impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize high-functionality bio-polyols from second-generation bio-based feedstock.
• To formulate and optimize rigid PU foam insulation using these bio-polyols.
• To evaluate the thermal insulation performance of the developed bio-based PU foam.

Main Methods:

• Bio-polyols were synthesized from tall oil fatty acids (a cellulose production side stream) via oxirane ring-opening and esterification reactions.
• Various polyfunctional alcohols (diethylene glycol, trimethylolpropane, triethanolamine, diethanolamine) were used in bio-polyol synthesis.
• Response surface modeling was employed to optimize bio-polyol and c-pentane content in the rigid PU foam formulations.

Main Results:

• Four distinct high-functionality bio-polyols were successfully synthesized.
• Optimized bio-based rigid PU foam formulations were developed.
• The resulting bio-based PU foam exhibited thermal insulation properties comparable to petrochemical-based alternatives.

Conclusions:

• High-quality rigid PU foam insulation can be effectively produced using solely bio-polyols derived from sustainable feedstocks.
• The developed bio-based formulations offer a viable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional PU insulation.
• This research contributes to the advancement of sustainable materials in the construction and insulation sectors.