Biodegradability of crude glycerol-based polyurethane foams during composting, anaerobic digestion and soil incubation

Gómez, Eddie F.; Luo, Xubiao; Li, Cong; Michel, Frederick C.; Li, Yebo

doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2014.01.008

Cited by 54 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Originally, CG was used as a replacement for the traditional polyhydric alcohols in the acid liquefaction of biomass [ 65 , 77 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 ]. It was also used in combination with petroleum-based polyols in the production of PUFs [ 126 ]. The characteristics of the obtained polyols proved to be suitable for the production of PUFs.…”

Section: Strategies Toward the Sustainability Of Pufsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polyurethane Foams: Past, Present, and Future

2018

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Polymeric foams can be found virtually everywhere due to their advantageous properties compared with counterparts materials. Possibly the most important class of polymeric foams are polyurethane foams (PUFs), as their low density and thermal conductivity combined with their interesting mechanical properties make them excellent thermal and sound insulators, as well as structural and comfort materials. Despite the broad range of applications, the production of PUFs is still highly petroleum-dependent, so this industry must adapt to ever more strict regulations and rigorous consumers. In that sense, the well-established raw materials and process technologies can face a turning point in the near future, due to the need of using renewable raw materials and new process technologies, such as three-dimensional (3D) printing. In this work, the fundamental aspects of the production of PUFs are reviewed, the new challenges that the PUFs industry are expected to confront regarding process methodologies in the near future are outlined, and some alternatives are also presented. Then, the strategies for the improvement of PUFs sustainability, including recycling, and the enhancement of their properties are discussed.

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Section: Strategies Toward the Sustainability Of Pufsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polyurethane Foams: Past, Present, and Future

2018

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“…The higher amount of hydroxyl groups in the glycerol molecule (compared to monomeric glycols) results in considerably lower percentage of free monomeric MDI and higher crosslinking of the cured foam, which in its turn results in less curing shrinkage and less outflow of the sprayed material. Perhaps not surprisingly, PU foams made from 100% crude glycerol-based polyols biodegrade at faster rate than PU foams obtained from petroleum-based polyols [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Thermogravimetric investigation of sol–gel microspheres doped with aqueous glycerol

Ciriminna

Pantaleo

Mattina

et al. 2014

Sustain Chem Process

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Background: Silica-based microspheres encapsulating aqueous glycerol are promising curing agents affording the formation of better one-component polyurethane foams, namely thermoset polymers cured by atmospheric moisture that are widely and increasingly utilized in the construction industry. The use of renewable, non toxic glycerol from biodiesel and oleochemicals industry to cure PU foams in place of traditionally employed oil-derived mono and diethylene glycols is both technically and environmentally beneficial. The higher amount of hydroxyl groups in glycerol compared to both mono-and diethylene glycol results in considerably lower percentage of free monomeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and higher crosslinking density of the cured foam. Results: We investigate by thermogravimetric analysis the nature and amount of the microencapsulated species in sol-gel silica and organosilica microspheres encapsulating aqueous glycerol. Along with a percentage of glycerol in weight up to 35%, the microspheres contain about 5 wt% water and 4 wt% entrapped surfactant. Conclusions: The investigation shows the efficacy of the surfactant-assisted sol-gel microencapsulation aqueous glycerol in silica as well as in methyl-silica particles at least until 10% degree of methylation. The results are relevant to the practical development of functional materials that can be used to cure better and greener polyurethane foams largely employed as coatings, adhesives and sealants in many industrial sectors.

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“…The factors that produce different degradation processes have been described previously [69][70][71]; they include UV radiation, temperature, mechanical stress, oxidative, hydrolysis, and biodegradation processes. Oxidation by oxygen and ozone will not be relevant in the case of anaerobic degradation of plastics, and the effect of photo-oxidation will be limited, as anaerobic systems are commonly carried on in closed vessels or confined spaces [72][73][74].…”

Section: Degradation Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degradation of Plastics under Anaerobic Conditions: A Short Review

et al. 2020

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Plastic waste is an issue of global concern because of the environmental impact of its accumulation in waste management systems and ecosystems. Biodegradability was proposed as a solution to overcome this problem; however, most biodegradable plastics were designed to degrade under aerobic conditions, ideally fulfilled in a composting plant. These new plastics could arrive to anaerobic environments, purposely or frequently, because of their mismanagement at the end of their useful life. This review analyzes the behavior of biodegradable and conventional plastics under anaerobic conditions, specifically in anaerobic digestion systems and landfills. A review was performed in order to identify: (a) the environmental conditions found in anaerobic digestion processes and landfills, as well as the mechanisms for degradation in those environments; (b) the experimental methods used for the assessment of biodegradation in anaerobic conditions; and (c) the extent of the biodegradation process for different plastics. Results show a remarkable variability of the biodegradation rate depending on the type of plastic and experimental conditions, with clearly better performance in anaerobic digestion systems, where temperature, water content, and inoculum are strictly controlled. The majority of the studied plastics showed that thermophilic conditions increase degradation. It should not be assumed that plastics designed to be degraded aerobically will biodegrade under anaerobic conditions, and an exact match must be done between the specific plastics and the end of life options that they will face.

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Biodegradability of crude glycerol-based polyurethane foams during composting, anaerobic digestion and soil incubation

Cited by 54 publications

References 37 publications

Polyurethane Foams: Past, Present, and Future

Polyurethane Foams: Past, Present, and Future

Thermogravimetric investigation of sol–gel microspheres doped with aqueous glycerol

Degradation of Plastics under Anaerobic Conditions: A Short Review

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