Current Progress in Research into Environmentally Friendly Rigid Polyurethane Foams

Abstract

Polyurethane foams are materials characterized by low density and thermal conductivity and can therefore be used as thermal insulation materials. They are synthesized from toxic and environmentally unfriendly petrochemicals called isocyanates and polyols, which react with each other to form a urethane group via the displacement of the movable hydrogen atom of the −OH group of the alcohol to the nitrogen atom of the isocyanate group. The following work describes the synthesis of polyurethane foams, focusing on using environmentally friendly materials, such as polyols derived from plant sources or modifiers, to strengthen the foam interface derived from plant precipitation containing cellulose derived from paper waste. The polyurethane foam industry is looking for new sources of materials to replace the currently used petrochemical products. The solutions described are proving to be an innovative and promising area capable of changing the face of current PU foam synthesis.