Rigid Biofoam Composites from Functionalized Soy Oil Based Biopolyurethane and Microcystalline Cellulose (MCC) for Automotive Applications

摘要

A rigid biofoam composite from two polyols (soybean phosphate ester polyol SOPEP andrnpetrochemical polyol Jeffol A-630 = 1:1 in weight)) and poly(diphenylmethane diisocyanate)rn(pMDI) has been prepared in the presence of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The photographsrnand scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show that both the neat biofoam and biofoamrncomposites have homogeneous cell dispersion. However, density of composites decreased as arnresult of the increase in MCC content. The results indicated that MCC were well dispersed andrnMCC addition significantly changed the composite properties. The Fourier Transform Infraredrn(FT-IR) exhibited characteristic peaks for MCC and polyurethane. Mechanical properties such asrncompressive strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus and impact strength of the samplesrnchanged substantially with the increase of MCC content. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA)rnresults were a testament for the improvement of mechanical properties by showing improvedrnthermal stability of the composites. Similarly, the glass transition temperature (T_g) and storagernmodulus around and after the T_g were increased by the addition of MCC. Thermogravimetricrnanalysis (TGA) data showed an improvement in the thermal stability of the biopolyurethane by thernaddition of MCC. In summation, this research has provided a simple method to prepare rigidrnpolyurethane biofoam and explored the potential of replacing up to 50 weight percent ofrnpetroleum-based polyol.