Polyurethane foams based on crude glycerol-derived biopolyols: One-pot preparation of biopolyols with branched fatty acid ester chains and its effects on foam formation and properties

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Polymer

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2014.10.043· OSTI ID:1241127

Li, Cong; Luo, Xiaolan; Li, Tao; Tong, Xinjie; Li, Yebo

Environmentally friendly biopolyols have been produced with crude glycerol as the sole feedstock using a one-pot thermochemical conversion process without the addition of extra catalysts and reagents. Structural features of these biopolyols were characterized by rheology analysis. Rigid polyurethane (PU) foams were obtained from these crude glycerol-based biopolyols and the foaming mechanism was explored. Investigations revealed that partial carbonyl groups hydrogen-bonded with NeH were replaced by aromatic rings after the introduction of branched fatty acid ester chains in the “urea rich” phase, and that distinct microphases had formed in the foams. Studies showed that branched fatty acid ester chains in the biopolyols played an important role in reducing the degree of microphase separation and stabilizing bubbles during foaming processes. PU foams with thermal conductivity comparable to commercial products made from petroleum-based polyols were obtained. These studies show the potential for development of PU foams based on crude glycerol, a renewable resource.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science - Office of Basic Energy Sciences - Scientific User Facilities Division; U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 1241127
• Journal Information: Polymer, Vol. 55; ISSN 0032-3861
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Monoglycerides
biopolyols
crude glycerol