Abstract
Development of polyurethane foam (PUF) containing bio-based components is a complex process that requires extensive studies. This work reports on the production of rigid PUFs from polyol obtained via liquefaction of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) biomass with different isocyanate (NCO) indexes. The effect of the NCO index on the physical, chemical and compressive properties of the liquefied EFB-based PUF (EFBPUF) was evaluated. The EFBPUFs showed a unique set of properties at each NCO index. Foaming properties had affected the apparent density and cellular morphology of the EFBPUFs. Increasing NCO index had increased the crosslink density and dimensional stability of the EFBPUFs via formation of isocyanurates, which had also increased their thermal stability. Combination of both foaming properties and crosslink density of the EFBPUFs had influenced their respective compressive properties. The EFBPUF produced at the NCO index of 120 showed the optimum compressive strength and released the least toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas under thermal degradation. The normalized compressive strength of the EFBPUF at the NCO index of 120 is also comparable with the strength of the PUF produced using petrochemical polyol.
Highlights
Polyurethane (PU) is a versatile polymer and widely used in various products
Rigid EFB-based PU foams (PUFs) (EFBPUF) were produced at different NCO indexes using liquefied empty fruit bunch (EFB) biobased polyol
Each EFBPUF showed a unique set of properties at different NCO indexes
Summary
Polyurethane (PU) is a versatile polymer and widely used in various products. In general, PU is synthesized using polyols and diisocyanates. Polymerization of polyol and diisocyanate occurs when the OH groups react with isocyanate (NCO) groups, producing a polymer with monomer units linked by urethane linkages, called PUs. Formulations can be tailored to produce thermoplastic or thermosetting PUs for different applications, including, for example, adhesives, elastomers, coatings, sealants, films, and foams [1]. Formulations can be tailored to produce thermoplastic or thermosetting PUs for different applications, including, for example, adhesives, elastomers, coatings, sealants, films, and foams [1] Polyurethane consumption in both the United States of America and Europe was estimated at about 6–8% of the total plastics usage for the region in 2019, and PU foams (PUFs) represented the largest segment of the total PU consumption [2,3]. Rigid PUF constitutes ca. 50% of the total worldwide production of PUFs [4]
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