Polyols and Polyurethane Foams Obtained from Mixture of Metasilicic Acid and Cellulose

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Conventional rigid polyurethane foams often rely on non-renewable resources.
• Developing sustainable alternatives with comparable or superior properties is crucial for environmental impact reduction.
• Biodegradable materials are gaining importance in various industrial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel polyols from metasilicic acid and cellulose.
• To produce rigid polyurethane foams using these novel polyols.
• To evaluate the physical, thermal, and biodegradability properties of the resulting foams and compare them to conventional materials.

Main Methods:

• Hydroxyalkylation reaction using glycidol and ethylene carbonate on metasilicic acid and cellulose mixture.
• Detailed characterization of polyol composition, structure, and physical properties.
• Foam production and assessment of apparent density, water absorption, polymerization shrinkage, and heat conduction.
• Evaluation of thermal resistance, flammability, and compressive strength after thermal exposure.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of polyols from metasilicic acid and cellulose.
• Rigid polyurethane foams produced exhibited properties (density, water absorption, shrinkage, thermal conductivity) similar to conventional foams.
• The derived polyols and foams demonstrated easy biodegradability.
• Foams showed high thermal resistance and self-extinguishing properties, with increased compressive strength and reduced flammability upon thermal exposure.

Conclusions:

• Polyols derived from metasilicic acid and cellulose are suitable for producing rigid polyurethane foams.
• These foams offer a sustainable, biodegradable alternative to conventional polyurethane foams.
• The material's properties, including thermal resistance and mechanical strength enhancement under heat, make it promising for heat-insulating applications.