AbstractDesign and Engineering of Biobased and Siloxane Polyols for Subsequent Synthesis of Flexible Polyurethane Foam By Hugh Taylor MacDowellInterest in more sustainable polyols for the creation of biobased flexible polyurethane foam has increased in recent years in the polymer industry. An alternative feedstock for conventional polyols can give options for companies in the event of supply shortages of petroleum products. Currently, a maximum of 20 weight percent of biobased polyol can be utilized in flexible polyurethane foam formulations. Dimerized fatty acids offer chemistry that increases the amount of biobased content introduced to existing flexible polyurethane formulations up to 50 weight percent.Biobased poly(ester-ether) polyol has been synthesized by condensation reaction of a mixture of dimer and trimer acids with polyethylene glycol. The condensation reaction to produce biobased poly(ester-ether) polyol was scaled from a 5 L glass reactor to a 20 L Parr reactor. The resulting polyol was formulated with commercial polyether polyol to create a flexible polyurethane foam with 0 wt. %, 20 wt. %, and 50 wt. % biobased polyol. The synthesized polyurethane foams were subjected to density, tensile, tear, and wet compression set characterization in accordance with ASTM standards with all foams synthesized passing the test standards. In addition to a biobased polyol, a siloxane polyol was synthesized with reaction of Aminopropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane and propylene carbonate for further formulation in polyurethane foam to aide in flexibility, mold release properties, and flammability resistance. A kinetic study was conducted to determine reaction rates and Arrhenius constants along with full characterization of the reaction product. Further polyurethane foam formulation was not successful, however a strategy to create a siloxane polyol that is miscible with biobased poly(ester-ether) polyol is outlined.
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