Oxypropylation of cellulose fibers for the production of polyols in the synthesis of rigid polyurethane foams

• Grant number: 24/23141-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Aparecido Junior de Menezes
• Grantee: Aparecido Junior de Menezes
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias para a Sustentabilidade (CCTS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Sorocaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Lucas Repecka Alves ; Maira de Lourdes Rezende

Abstract

Chemical modifications through the oxypropylation reaction will be carried out on cellulose fibers to obtain different polyols, which will be used in the formulation of rigid polyurethane (PU) foams. The reactions will take place in an autoclave reactor, comparing compositions of modified and unmodified fibers. The success of the reaction will be evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), followed by crystallinity and thermal property analyses using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Thermogravimetry (TG). Morphological analysis will be performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The foams will be synthesized from the polyol obtained through chemical modification, in combination with 2,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI). To improve the foam properties and ensure they exhibit characteristics similar to conventional foams, phosphoric acid (H3PO4), distilled water as a blowing agent, and silicone oil as a surfactant will be added during the formulation. The PU foams will then be characterized by FTIR, XRD, TG, DSC, and SEM. Degradation properties will be assessed through degradation tests in simulated soil and hydrolysis. The resulting foams are expected to exhibit thermal and dimensional stability, as well as a certain degree of degradability, due to the use of cellulose, a renewable source, in polyol production. These foams have potential applications as acoustic and thermal insulation in the construction and appliance industries. (AU)