Preparation and Characterization of Potato Crust-Based Polyurethane Foam-II

In this research study, environmentally friendly and biodegradable PU polymer foam was synthesized from starch-containing potato crust to be used as a thermal insulation material by reducing reliance on fossil resources and utilizing biomass resources. Biopolyols were obtained by reacting with active solvents at different reaction times, in the presence of different catalysts and at different catalyst concentrations. The most suitable polyol in terms of biomass content, density, viscosity and acid-hydroxyl number was selected for PU foam synthesis. Reactions for PU synthesis were tried and PU foam was synthesized. The synthesized PU foam was examined by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). Its morphological structure, thermal degradation properties, sound transmission coefficient and water absorption properties were determined by comparing it with a commercial PU foam. SEM images showed a heterogeneous pore distribution with closed and open cells, the majority of which were closed. From the TGA results, it was determined that a two-step degradation occurred and incorporating biomass into its structure improved the total thermal degradation properties. The sound transmission rate of starch-containing PU foam, when used as a thermal insulation material, was measured to be lower than the concrete structure, but partially close to and higher than that of commercial PU foam. The water absorption properties of the synthesized PU foam were found to be significantly higher compared to commercial PU foam and and contributed to its usability as a thermal insulation material. Thermal insulation material PU foam is synthesized in terms of its properties.