Physical Properties of Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams from Bio-Based Succinate Polyols

The goal of this work is to study the physical properties of bio-based polyurethane (PU) foams prepared from synthesized bio-based succinate polyols. Bio-based succinate polyols were synthesized by condensation reaction using succinic acid (SA) and four types of glycols that are diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), tetraethylene glycol (TTEG) and glycerol (Gly). The effects of glycol types (single or mixed glycols) used in the prepared polyols toward physical properties of PU foams were studied. Physical and mechanical properties of the prepared PU foams were taken relatively to PU foam obtained from a commercial polyol. The results revealed that hydroxyl number (OH number) and viscosity of prepared polyols decreased as the length of the glycol chains increased (DEG < TEG < TTEG). However, the polyols prepared from mixed glycols showed higher viscosity than those prepared from single glycol. Optical micrographs images showed that the PU foams prepared from mixed-glycol polyols had smaller cell dimension and more closed cell contents compared to ones prepared from single-glycol polyols. Foam formation time and density of foams prepared from DEG-glycerol mixed glycol polyol were similar to one prepared from commercial polyol (POLIMAXX A8360). Moreover, compressive strength of foam was higher than one prepared from commercial polyol.