Original scientific paper
Characterization of Polyurethane Foam Added with Synthesized Acetic and Oleic-modified TiO2Nanocrystals
Caterina Lorusso
; Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Italy
Viviana Vergaro
; National Nanotechnology Laboratory (NNL), Nanoscience Institute – CNR, Italy
Annagrazia Monteduro
; National Nanotechnology Laboratory (NNL), Nanoscience Institute – CNR, Italy
Antonio Saracino
; Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Italy
Giuseppe Ciccarella
; National Nanotechnology Laboratory (NNL), Nanoscience Institute – CNR, Italy
Paola Maria Congedo
; Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Italy
Barbara Federica Scremin
; National Nanotechnology Laboratory (NNL), Nanoscience Institute – CNR, Italy
Abstract
In this work, the effects due to the addition of nanoparticles in polyurethane foams on thermo-physical and mechanical properties have been evaluated. Two types of nanoparticles were used, acetic and oleic-modified titania nanocrystals TiO2. The nanoparticles were first dispersed in a polyol component via the use of sonication; then, the doped polyol was mixed with isocyanate. The different characterization techniques describe the state of the dispersion of fillers in foam. The effects of these additions in foam were evaluated according to UNI EN 826-UNI EN 12087- UNI EN 13165, in terms of thermo-physical and mechanical properties, i.e., diffusivity, conductivity, compressive strength and water uptake. The microstructure of the foam was analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The foam obtained with nanoadditives presented improved mechanical characteristics compared to neat foam, presumably due to the different shape of the nanoparticles. The addition of nanoparticles favoured the formation of nucleation centres; this effect was likely due to the size, shape and distribution of particles and due to their surface treatment.
Keywords
TiO2; polyurethane; mechanical properties; thermal properties; nanoparticles; foam; cell morphology; nanodispersion
Hrčak ID:
157548
URI
Publication date:
1.1.2015.
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