Bamboo Liquefaction with Polyhydric Alcohols and its Application in Flexible Polyurethane Foam

Abstract

Using PEG400 and glycerol as liquefacient, the residue from bamboo processing was liquefied at the presence of a catalyst. Liquefaction technology of residue from bamboo processing in polyhydric alcohols was studied by orthogonally-designed experiment, and the liquefaction products were applied in the preparation of flexible polyurethane foam. The result showed that liquefaction rate could reach as high as 99.32% when liquefaction temperature was 160°C, mass ratio of liquid to solid was 4:1 and liquefaction time was 90min. Hydroxyl value of liquefaction products obtained was 56.63mgKOH/g and viscosity was 300mPa•s. Flexible polyurethane foam prepared from liquefaction products was analyzed with infrared spectrum and scanning electron microscope, and was compared with conventional flexible polyurethane foam.