Preparation and Characterization of Date Palm Bio-Oil Modified Phenolic Foam

In this work, the potential of biomass-derived date palm bio-oil as a partial substitute for phenol in the phenolic resin was evaluated. Date palm bio-oils derived from date palm were used for the partial substitution of phenol in the preparation of phenolic foam (PF) insulation materials. Date palm waste material was processed using pyrolysis at 525 °C to produce bio-oil rich in phenolic compounds. The bio-oil was used to partially replace phenol in the synthesis of phenolic resin, which was subsequently used to prepare foams. The resulting changes in the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the foams were studied. The substituted foams exhibited 93%, 181%, and 40% improvement in compressive strength with 10%, 15%, and 20% bio-oil substitution, respectively. Due to the incorporation of biomass waste material, the partial reduction in phenol uses, and the favorable properties, the date palm bio-oil substituted phenolic foams are considered more environmentally benign alternatives to traditional phenolic foams.