Abstract
The aim of the presented research was to obtain two new eco-polyols based on waste polylactide (PLA) and to check the effect on the properties of rigid polyurethane (RPU) foams and, based on these, rigid polyurethane/polyisocyanurate (RPU/PIR) foams. The synthesis of eco-polyols was based on the transesterification reaction of melted PLA with diethylene glycol in the presence of an organometallic catalyst. Properties of the obtained eco-polyols were examined for their potential as raw materials for synthesis of rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams, i.e., hydroxyl value, acid value, density, viscosity, pH, water content. Spectroscopic studies (FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR) were also carried out. Results of these tests confirmed the assumed chemical structure of the new polyols. RPU and RPU/PIR foam formulations were developed based on the obtained analytical results. Partial replacement of petrochemical polyol by eco-polyols in RPU and RPU/PIR foams decreased the value of apparent density, compressive strength, brittleness and water absorption. Moreover, all foams modified by eco-polyols showed higher resistance to aging. All RPU/PIR foams and most PRU foams modified by eco-polyols from waste PLA had better functional properties than the reference foams based on petrochemical polyol.
Highlights
Nowadays, the polyurethane (PU) materials industry is developing at a very fast rate
Two eco-polyols were obtained as a result of the transesterification reaction of PLA waste with diethylene glycol in a weight ratio of 1:0.4 and 1:0.3 (PLA:Diethylene glycol (DEG))
As part of this research, the glycolysis reaction of PLA waste was used as a method of chemical recycling of this polymer
Summary
The polyurethane (PU) materials industry is developing at a very fast rate. Statistical data show that the world production in this sector in 2019 amounted to 22.5 million tons. It was an increase of about 3.5% in comparison with the previous year. A very desirable feature of these materials are their properties, which can be modified depending on what is needed by changing the type of raw materials, their quantity ratio and the density of the final product in the range from 12 kg/m3 to 1000 kg/m3. None of the previously known plastics have such a wide range of modifications [12]
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