Review
Chemistry, Physical
Aleksander Hejna
Summary: In the reduction of polyurethane foams' flammability, the incorporation of clays can effectively decrease their combustibility by inducing a labyrinth effect inside the foam, delaying decomposition onset, reducing smoke generation, and inhibiting heat, gas, and mass transfer. Additionally, clays can be easily modified with different organic compounds or used in combination with conventional flame retardants, often resulting in a synergistic effect that significantly reduces the foams' flammability.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anna M. Szczotok, Dan Madsen, Angel Serrano, Manuel Carmona, Patrick Van Hees, Juan F. Rodriguez, Anna-Lena Kjoniksen
Summary: Thermoregulating microcapsules with flame-retardant properties were used to produce polyurethane foams, which showed improved thermal stability and flame-retardant properties. The study highlights the potential importance of these microcapsules for applications requiring lower flammability.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Branka Music, Natasa Knez, Janez Bernard
Summary: This study investigates the influence of two flame retardants on polyurethane foam (PUR) systems, focusing on their thermal and mechanical properties. The results show that the flame retardants significantly improve the fire resistance of the PUR systems without affecting thermal conductivity, and only slightly decreasing the mechanical properties. These findings suggest that the presented systems can be applied as thermal insulation where both low heat conductivity and high flame resistance are required.
Article
Polymer Science
Elzbieta Chmiel-Szukiewicz
Summary: The research explores the application possibilities of new oligoetherols with 1,3-pyrimidine rings and boron atoms in producing rigid polyurethane foam. The introduction of boron atoms reduces flammability but increases water absorption in the foams. However, the obtained foams exhibit good thermal stability compared to traditional polyurethane foams.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Hoang T. T. Tran, Athukoralalage Don K. Deshan, William Doherty, Darryn Rackemann, Lalehvash Moghaddam
Summary: This study investigates the utilization of sugarcane bagasse-based bio-oil as an alternative resource to produce bio-based PU foams. Various conditions are examined to understand their effects on the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the foams. The results demonstrate that incorporating bio-oil as a polyol can enhance the foam's thermal stability and mechanical strength.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Marcin Zemla, Aleksander Prociak, Slawomir Michalowski
Summary: Rigid polyurethane foams (RPURF) containing bio-polyol from rapeseed oil and different phosphorus-based flame retardants were synthesized. The addition of flame retardants influenced the cellular structure and compressive strength of the foams, but all materials still had low thermal conductivity coefficients suitable for thermal insulation. The modified RPURF showed lower tendency to fire development compared to the reference foams.
Article
Thermodynamics
Beata Zygmunt-Kowalska, Patrycja Zakrzewska, Artur Szajding, Bartosz Handke, Monika Kuznia
Summary: The authors introduced a polyurethane material modified with microspheres derived from coal fly ash. The addition of microspheres improved the mechanical properties of polyurethane composites but resulted in decreased brittleness. The thermal conductivity of the polyurethane-microspheres composite was not significantly affected by the addition of microspheres. Flammability tests showed that microspheres delayed ignition but increased smoke production. The addition of microspheres to polyurethane foam was concluded to be feasible without deteriorating the material's properties.
THERMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcin Zemla, Aleksander Prociak, Slawomir Michalowski, Ugis Cabulis, Mikelis Kirpluks, Kirils Simakovs
Summary: This study investigates the modification of rigid polyurethane foams with flame retardants, which leads to decreased flammability and thermal insulation properties. The modified foams exhibit lower mechanical properties but have a reduced heat release rate and improved oxygen index.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yufeng Wang, Zhenheng Cao, Ziheng Wang, Aijuan Ma
Summary: By synthesizing a modifier, TVi(7iso)-POSS, and combining it with other materials, a polyurethane coating with improved performance, PFMPUAs, can be obtained. The PFMPUAs coating shows better overall performance in terms of thermal stability, hardness, flexibility, impact resistance, and adhesion compared to previously studied coatings. This study is of great significance for the development of environmentally friendly coatings.
Article
Polymer Science
Adam Olszewski, Paulina Kosmela, Adam Piasecki, Wiktoria Zukowska, Mariusz Szczepanski, Pawel Wojtasz, Mateusz Barczewski, Roman Barczewski, Aleksander Hejna
Summary: This study investigates the impact of stoichiometry on the performance of flexible PU foams by preparing foams with similar apparent density but different isocyanate indexes. The cellular and chemical structure, as well as the mechanical properties, thermal stability, thermal insulation, and acoustic performance, were studied. The results show that stoichiometry significantly affects the foam's cellular structure, strength, and sound suppression ability.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Malgorzata Okrasa, Milena Leszczynska, Kamila Salasinska, Leonard Szczepkowski, Pawel Kozikowski, Adriana Nowak, Justyna Szulc, Agnieszka Adamus-Wlodarczyk, Michal Gloc, Katarzyna Majchrzycka, Joanna Ryszkowska
Summary: This study aims to develop viscoelastic polyurethane foams for better fit and comfort in respiratory protective devices (RPDs). Various tests and analyses were conducted to determine the direction for improving foam properties.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Amalia Zulkifli, Umar Adli Amran, Nur Amira Zainul Armir, Sarani Zakaria
Summary: Rigid polyurethane foams derived from liquefied kenaf with different isocyanate indexes were successfully produced. Increasing the isocyanate index resulted in higher reaction rate, crosslinking density, compressive strength, and thermal stability of the foams. Among them, the foam with a NCO index of 120 demonstrated the largest cell diameter, highest water absorption ability, lowest apparent density, optimal compressive strength, and best thermal stability.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Francesco Galvagnini, Andrea Dorigato, Francesco Valentini, Vincenzo Fiore, Maria La Gennusa, Alessandro Pegoretti
Summary: In this work, polyurethane insulating panels containing microencapsulated paraffin as phase change material (PCM) were produced. The panels exhibited thermal insulation and energy storage/releasing properties near room temperature. The addition of the microcapsules increased the viscosity of the PU liquid precursors and affected the cellular structure of the PU foams. The introduction of the PCM improved the thermal and mechanical properties of the foams, while increasing their thermal conductivity and stiffness.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Edyta Hebda, Artur Bukowczan, Slawomir Michalowski, Krzysztof Pielichowski
Summary: In this study, flexible toluene diisocyanate-based polyurethane foams (FPUFs) chemically modified by POSS moieties were investigated. The addition of POSS increased the foam density and compressive strength, and the incorporation of silsesquioxane nanoparticles via covalent bonds strengthened the foam integrity.
Article
Polymer Science
Ayesha Kausar
Summary: POSS is an inorganic-organic nanostructure that can improve the thermal and mechanical properties of polymeric matrices like polyurethane when used as a nanofiller. Recent progress has focused on enhancing non-flammability, anti-corrosion, and biomedical properties of polyurethane/POSS nanocomposites.
JOURNAL OF MACROMOLECULAR SCIENCE PART A-PURE AND APPLIED CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Konstantinos N. Raftopoulos, Edyta Hebda, Anna Grzybowska, Panagiotis A. Klonos, Apostolos Kyritsis, Krzysztof Pielichowski
Summary: By incorporating a star polymer with a POSS core and PEG groups into polyurethane during the polymerization process, various aspects of the resulting blends, including morphology, molecular dynamics, and charge mobility, were studied. The presence of POSS was found to reduce the crystallinity of the hard segments and affect the glass transition temperature of the soft phase. Different responses of slow and fast modes in the system were hypothesized to explain the observed discrepancies in the dynamic glass transition. Additionally, the introduction of POSS altered the conductivity mechanism in polyurethane, highlighting the impact of different architectural incorporations of POSS on the physical properties of the material.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Arnis Abolins, Ralfs Pomilovskis, Edgars Vanags, Inese Mierina, Slawomir Michalowski, Anda Fridrihsone, Mikelis Kirpluks
Summary: Epoxidised tall oil fatty acids were synthesised via two pathways using heterogeneous catalysts and enzyme catalyst. The obtained bio-polyols were used to develop rigid PU foam material with improved thermal conductivity, with Novozym(R)435 catalyst showing superior properties compared to Amberlite IR-120 H.
Article
Polymer Science
Mateusz Barczewski, Olga Mysiukiewicz, Aleksander Hejna, Radoslaw Biskup, Joanna Szulc, Slawomir Michalowski, Adam Piasecki, Arkadiusz Klozinski
Summary: In this study, thermally expanded vermiculite (TE-VMT) was modified and used as a filler in composites with a polylactide (PLA) matrix. The modification improved dispersion and interfacial adhesion of vermiculite in the matrix, resulting in enhanced impact strength and thermal-mechanical stability of the composites.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ewa Maria Szefer, Tomasz Mariusz Majka, Krzysztof Pielichowski
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the thermal degradation and combustion behavior of single-use masks, identifying polypropylene and polyamide as main materials, and recommending disposal temperatures between 450 to 750 degrees Celsius for effective waste treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Katarzyna Uram, Milena Leszczynska, Aleksander Prociak, Anna Czajka, Michal Gloc, Michal K. Leszczynski, Slawomir Michalowski, Joanna Ryszkowska
Summary: Rigid polyurethane foams were successfully prepared using renewable raw materials including bio-polyols and a cellulose filler. The addition of cellulose filler increased the number of cells in the foams while reducing cell sizes. The foams exhibited closed cell contents exceeding 90% and initial thermal conductivity coefficients of 24.8 mW/mK, showing dimensional stability at temperatures near 0 degrees C.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jan Ozimek, Krzysztof Pielichowski
Summary: Advanced organic-inorganic materials, such as composites, nanocomposites, and hybrids, offer unique properties for biomedical applications. Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) are one of the most promising inorganic additives due to their biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and phase separation ability. When incorporated into polyurethane matrices, POSS significantly alter the polymer properties, including mechanical properties, surface characteristics, and bioactivity. This review focuses on the development of POSS-PU composites for various biomedical applications, including scaffolds, cardiovascular devices, bio-imaging, and cancer treatment. Methods of characterization and modification of polyurethane-based materials with silsesquioxanes are also discussed.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Katarzyna Bialik-Was, Konstantinos N. Raftopoulos, Krzysztof Pielichowski
Summary: In this study, the impact of reaction temperature on the physical and chemical properties of sodium alginate/poly (vinyl alcohol)-based hydrogels was investigated. It was found that higher temperatures promoted the crosslinking reaction, and the addition of Aloe vera as a bioadditive further enhanced the reaction.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Karolina Komisarz, Tomasz M. Majka, Krzysztof Pielichowski
Summary: This article summarizes the research on chemical and physical modification of lignin, as well as the effects of modified lignin on the properties of polymeric materials. Modified lignin can improve dimensional stability, hydrophobicity, and mechanical properties of bio-composites, and exhibit biocompatibility and non-cytotoxicity. Furthermore, future prospects of modified lignin as useful materials on their own and as potential biofillers for environmentally friendly polymeric materials are presented.
Article
Polymer Science
Edyta Hebda, Artur Bukowczan, Slawomir Michalowski, Krzysztof Pielichowski
Summary: In this study, flexible toluene diisocyanate-based polyurethane foams (FPUFs) chemically modified by POSS moieties were investigated. The addition of POSS increased the foam density and compressive strength, and the incorporation of silsesquioxane nanoparticles via covalent bonds strengthened the foam integrity.
Article
Polymer Science
Artur Bukowczan, Konstantinos N. Raftopoulos, Jacek Niziol, Krzysztof Pielichowski
Summary: Molecular mobility and liquid crystalline order formation of liquid crystalline polyurethanes (LCPU) modified by trisilanolphenyl-POSS were studied using various techniques. The addition of POSS did not significantly alter the nanoscale morphology of the LCPU matrix. Liquid crystal phase transitions were confirmed through dielectric and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. The presence of partially cross-linked POSS particles enhanced the material's rubber modulus in dynamic mechanical analysis. Overall, POSS caused a nucleation effect and did not impair LC phase formation.
Article
Thermodynamics
Artur Bukowczan, Piotr Stachak, Izabela Lukaszewska, Tomasz M. Majka, Edyta Hebda, Krzysztof Pielichowski
Summary: This study investigates the thermal properties of non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) synthesized by the poly-addition reaction of polyether diamine and five membered tri(cyclic carbonate) using a prepolymerization method. The NIPUs were further modified with trifunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) resulting in hybrid composite materials. The obtained materials were characterized using various techniques, and the results revealed the successful synthesis of NIPUs and their hybrids with POSS. The incorporation of POSS into the NIPU matrix improved thermal stability and reduced flammability, as evidenced by the results of thermogravimetric analysis, pyrolysis with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and microscale combustion calorimetry.
THERMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Kinga Pielichowska, Natalia Paprota, Krzysztof Pielichowski
Summary: The accumulation of thermal energy in the form of latent heat using phase change materials (PCMs) has great application potential in both passive and active technical systems. Organic PCMs, including paraffins, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and polymers, are the most important group of PCMs for low-temperature applications. However, their flammability is a major disadvantage. In the past decade, extensive research has been conducted to reduce the flammability of organic PCMs without compromising their thermal performance. This review describes the main groups of flame retardants, flame retardation methods for PCMs, and examples of flame-retarded PCMs and their applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Izabela Lukaszewska, Artur Bukowczan, Konstantinos N. Raftopoulos, Krzysztof Pielichowski
Summary: This study synthesized PEO-based non-isocyanate polyhydroxyurethane networks modified with octa(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyldimethylsiloxy)POSS via a one-pot one-step approach. The introduction of POSS improved the thermal stability and water absorption capacity of the material.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Karolina Komisarz, Tomasz M. Majka, Krzysztof Pielichowski
Summary: In this study, a sulfonamide derivative of lignin was prepared through a two-step modification method, and it was found to have significantly improved thermal stability compared to the raw material. The sulfonamide lignin derivatives show great promise as antibacterial fillers in advanced biopolymer composites.
