Preparation and Characterization of Thermoregulated Rigid Polyurethane Foams Containing Nanoencapsulated Phase Change Materials

Abstract

Thermoregulated rigid polyurethane foams containing silica shelled nanoencapsulated phase change materials (NanoPCMs) were fabricated. Chemical composition and morphology of the composite foams were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Thermal properties of the composite foams were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) methods. The NanoPCMs are homogeneously dispersed in a polyurethane matrix. Higher NanoPCMs contents in the composite foams lead to slightly increased cell size, minor decrease of glass transition temperature (T g ), and higher phase change enthalpies. The composite foams exhibit good thermal reliability, reasonable thermoregulation property, and fairly high compressive properties. In addition, the compressive property-density relationship for the composite foams agrees well with the Gibson− Ashby's power law.

Mechanical, acoustic, and thermal performances of shear thickening fluid–filled rigid polyurethane foam composites: Effects of content of shear thickening fluid and particle size of silica

“…The corresponding temperature of shortest decomposition is increase, and the remaining mass also makes up a greater ratio of the original mass, at 25.44 wt %. The addition of STF results in an increase in residual charcoal, which is probably due to the physical blocking effect of SiO 2 . As a result, the optimal thermal stability occurs when the composites are made with 1.0 wt % STF containing 14 nm SiO 2 .…”

Preparation of poly(ethylene oxide) brush‐grafted multiwall carbon nanotubes and their effect on morphology and mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foam

“…Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPS; >97%), ethylene oxide (>99.5%), sodium (>99.5%), triethanolamine (>99.5%), absolute ethanol (>99.5%) and aluminium isopropoxide (Al(O i Pr) 3 ; >99.99%) were supplied by Aladdin and used as received. Toluene (>99.5%) was supplied by Sinopharm and distilled with sodium before use.…”

“…The graft polymerization reaction was performed in a pressure bottle. Typically, 1.0 g of GPS-MWCNT was dispersed in 50 mL of a toluene solution of Al(O i Pr) 3 under dry nitrogen atmosphere. Following sonicating for 30 min, the mixture was heated to 80 ∘ C and stirred for 24 h after addition of 2.5 mL of ethylene oxide.…”

“…Rigid polyurethane foams (PUFs) are a unique class of polymers, which have highly crosslinked molecular structures and closed pore structures . Owing to their low thermal conductivity, low weight and good mechanical performance, PUFs have been widely utilized in automotive parts, commercial refrigeration and building engineering fields as lightweight core materials in sandwich structures …”

“…1 Owing to their low thermal conductivity, low weight and good mechanical performance, PUFs have been widely utilized in automotive parts, commercial refrigeration and building engineering fields as lightweight core materials in sandwich structures. [2][3][4] Nanofillers, such as glass fillers, 5 nanoclay, 6 carbon black, 7 graphene 8 and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), 9 are often used to improve the thermal and mechanical properties of PUF. Due to the superior thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of CNTs, CNT-based composites have attracted great attention.…”