Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Bio-Foam with Inherent Heat and Fire Resistance

Polyurethanes (PUs) are versatile and widespread, particularly as flexible and rigid foams. To avoid isocyanates and other toxic reagents required for synthesis, such as phosgene, alternative synthetic routes have been utilized to produce non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs). A thermally and flame-r...

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Main Authors: Dallin L. Smith, Danixa Rodriguez-Melendez, Sidney M. Cotton, Yufeng Quan, Qingsheng Wang, Jaime C. Grunlan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-11-01
Series:Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/22/5019
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author Dallin L. Smith
Danixa Rodriguez-Melendez
Sidney M. Cotton
Yufeng Quan
Qingsheng Wang
Jaime C. Grunlan
author_facet Dallin L. Smith
Danixa Rodriguez-Melendez
Sidney M. Cotton
Yufeng Quan
Qingsheng Wang
Jaime C. Grunlan
author_sort Dallin L. Smith
collection DOAJ
description Polyurethanes (PUs) are versatile and widespread, particularly as flexible and rigid foams. To avoid isocyanates and other toxic reagents required for synthesis, such as phosgene, alternative synthetic routes have been utilized to produce non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs). A thermally and flame-resistant rigid NIPU was produced from environmentally benign and bio-sourced ingredients, requiring no catalyst or solvents. A foamed structure was obtained by the addition of glutaraldehyde and four different carboxylic acids: malic acid, maleic acid, citric acid, and aconitic acid. The resulting morphology, thermal degradation, and flame resistance of each foam were compared. The properties vary with each carboxylic acid used, but in each case, peak thermal degradation and peak heat release are postponed by >100 °C compared to commercial rigid PU foam. Furthermore, in a butane torch test, NIPU foams exhibit an 80% higher remaining mass and a 75% reduction in afterburn time, compared to commercial polyurethane. This bio-based polyurethane eliminates the hazards of traditional PUs, while imparting inherent thermal stability and flame resistance uncharacteristic of conventional foams.
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spelling doaj.art-904c09e2ac2d47279d42dfb7a9badaae2023-11-24T09:44:49ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602022-11-011422501910.3390/polym14225019Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Bio-Foam with Inherent Heat and Fire ResistanceDallin L. Smith0Danixa Rodriguez-Melendez1Sidney M. Cotton2Yufeng Quan3Qingsheng Wang4Jaime C. Grunlan5Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USAPolyurethanes (PUs) are versatile and widespread, particularly as flexible and rigid foams. To avoid isocyanates and other toxic reagents required for synthesis, such as phosgene, alternative synthetic routes have been utilized to produce non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs). A thermally and flame-resistant rigid NIPU was produced from environmentally benign and bio-sourced ingredients, requiring no catalyst or solvents. A foamed structure was obtained by the addition of glutaraldehyde and four different carboxylic acids: malic acid, maleic acid, citric acid, and aconitic acid. The resulting morphology, thermal degradation, and flame resistance of each foam were compared. The properties vary with each carboxylic acid used, but in each case, peak thermal degradation and peak heat release are postponed by >100 °C compared to commercial rigid PU foam. Furthermore, in a butane torch test, NIPU foams exhibit an 80% higher remaining mass and a 75% reduction in afterburn time, compared to commercial polyurethane. This bio-based polyurethane eliminates the hazards of traditional PUs, while imparting inherent thermal stability and flame resistance uncharacteristic of conventional foams.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/22/5019rigid foamnon-isocyanate polyurethanetannic acidchitosan
spellingShingle Dallin L. Smith
Danixa Rodriguez-Melendez
Sidney M. Cotton
Yufeng Quan
Qingsheng Wang
Jaime C. Grunlan
Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Bio-Foam with Inherent Heat and Fire Resistance
Polymers
rigid foam
non-isocyanate polyurethane
tannic acid
chitosan
title Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Bio-Foam with Inherent Heat and Fire Resistance
title_full Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Bio-Foam with Inherent Heat and Fire Resistance
title_fullStr Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Bio-Foam with Inherent Heat and Fire Resistance
title_full_unstemmed Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Bio-Foam with Inherent Heat and Fire Resistance
title_short Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Bio-Foam with Inherent Heat and Fire Resistance
title_sort non isocyanate polyurethane bio foam with inherent heat and fire resistance
topic rigid foam
non-isocyanate polyurethane
tannic acid
chitosan
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/22/5019
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AT danixarodriguezmelendez nonisocyanatepolyurethanebiofoamwithinherentheatandfireresistance
AT sidneymcotton nonisocyanatepolyurethanebiofoamwithinherentheatandfireresistance
AT yufengquan nonisocyanatepolyurethanebiofoamwithinherentheatandfireresistance
AT qingshengwang nonisocyanatepolyurethanebiofoamwithinherentheatandfireresistance
AT jaimecgrunlan nonisocyanatepolyurethanebiofoamwithinherentheatandfireresistance