Soy-Based Polyurethane Foam Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The objective of this research is to develop soy-based polyurethane (PU) foam product reinforced with carbon nanotubes. The shortage of petroleum and the increasing concern on environmental issues have resulted in an interest in using renewable substances as building blocks for polymer applications. Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) was used in this study to reinforce the soy-based polyurethane foam. The compressive and mechanical properties of the composites were enhanced with adding carbon nanotubes. Neat polyurethane was used as a control. Soy-based polyurethane / carbon nanotubes composites with loadings of 0.5 and 1.0 wt% were fabricated. The compressive, flexural, and tensile properties of MWNTs-PU foams were improved by 24, 30 and 30 %, respectively, as compared with the neat PU foam. The greatest enhancements on compressive and flexural properties were shown at the 0.5 wt% MWNT loading, while the highest tensile stress enhancement of PU foam was shown at 1 wt% MWNT loading.