The Influence of Substitution of a Phosphorus-Containing Polyol with the Bio-polyol on the Properties of Bio-based PUR/PIR Foams

Abstract

In this work, effects of incorporating of a phosphorus-containing polyol into rigid polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foams’ formulations developed with use of two different bio-based polyols, derived from crude glycerol or liquefied cellulose were examined. The bio-polyol derived from crude glycerol was synthesized via two-step process from crude glycerol and castor oil, whereas the bio-polyol derived from liquefied cellulose was prepared in lignocellulose biomass liquefaction process. Rigid polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foams were prepared by substitution 25, 50, 75 and 100 wt% of a bio-polyol with the phosphorus-containing polyol. Density, compressive modulus, thermal stability and chemical and cellular structure content of the PUR/PIR foams were studied. Cell morphology was also observed by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, thermal stability and flammability were investigated. The results show that the phosphorus-based polyol favors some PUR/PIR foams properties such as fire retardancy, what was expected, but also compressive strength behavior.