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Updated: Sep 12, 2025
Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
Published on: November 30, 2020
A closed loop for polyurethane biofoams designed in line with the European Green Deal
Maria Kurańska1, Hynek Benes2, Olga Kockova2
1Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Department of Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Warszawska 24, 31-155, Cracow, Poland; Cracow University of Technology, Interdisciplinary Center for Circular Economy, Warszawska 24, 31-155, Cracow, Poland.
Chemically degrading polyurethane biofoams using glycolysis yields reusable materials. Increasing biopolyol content significantly reduces viscosity and influences cell structure, paving the way for novel open-cell biofoams.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Thermosetting rigid polyurethane foams present recycling challenges.
- Chemical recycling via glycolysis offers a route to depolymerization.
- Biofoams incorporate biopolyols, potentially altering recycling outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the chemolysis of polyurethane biofoams with varying biopolyol content (25-100%).
- Analyze the effect of biopolyol content on rebiopolyol properties and subsequent foam formation.
- Determine the impact of rebiopolyol structure and content on new biofoam characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Chemolysis of polyurethane biofoams with varying biopolyol percentages.
- Viscosity measurements of obtained rebiopolyols.
- Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for structural analysis.
- Foaming process evaluation and cell structure characterization (open/closed cells).
- Mechanical property testing (compression strength).
Main Results:
- Increasing biopolyol content significantly decreased rebiopolyol viscosity by over 90% (from 56,000 to 4400 mPa·s).
- Rebiopolyol content impacted foaming process course, independent of its chemical structure.
- Rebiopolyol chemical structure influenced the closed-cell content of new biofoams.
- Foams from rebiopolyols with >50% petrochemical polyol content exhibited higher cell openness.
- Lower closed-cell content correlated with reduced foam compression strength.
Conclusions:
- Glycolysis is effective for recycling polyurethane biofoams into reusable components.
- Biopolyol content is a key factor in controlling rebiopolyol viscosity and subsequent biofoam properties.
- This research supports the development of open-cell biofoams with tailored properties using recycled materials.
