Study of Aerogel-Modified Recycled Polyurethane Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, a liquid regenerated polyether polyol was obtained after the degradation of waste PU foam by the two-component decrosslinker agents ethylene glycol and ethanolamine. The regenerated polyol-based polyurethane foam was modified by adding different ratios of SiO2 aerogel through the self-preparation of silica aerogel (SiO2 aerogel) to prepare aerogel/regenerated polyurethane foam nanocomposites of SiO2 aerogel-modified regenerated polyurethane composites. A series of analytical tests on self-prepared silica aerogel and aerogel-modified recycled polyurethane foam composites were performed. The analysis of the test results shows that the regenerated rigid PU foam obtained with SiO2 aerogel addition of 0.3% in the polyurethane degradation material has a small density, low thermal conductivity, and higher compressive strength; hence, the prepared silica aerogel-regenerated polyol-based polyurethane nanocomposite has good thermal insulation and strength support properties. The clean, low-carbon, and high-value utilization of recycled waste polyurethane was achieved.

Keywords

• waste polyurethane foam
• SiO₂ aerogel
• alcoholysis
• two-component decrosslinker
• chemical degradation