Date of Award
Spring 5-10-2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Chemistry
First Advisor
Dr. Ram Gupta
Second Advisor
Dr. Khamis Siam
Third Advisor
Dr. Pawan Kahol
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Anuradha Ghosh
Keywords
polyurethane foam, flame retardant, corn oil, novel bio-based polyol
Abstract
A novel bio-based polyol was synthesized using corn oil and 2-mercaptoethanol via thiol-ene reaction as an alternative to petroleum-based polyol for the synthesis of polyurethane foams. The polyol was analyzed using wet chemical techniques to obtain a hydroxyl number and the viscosity of the polyol. Infrared spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography were used to confirm the structural properties of the foams. Flame-retardant polyurethane foams were prepared by the addition of different concentrations of dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP) in the final foam composition. The effect of DMMP on the thermo-mechanical properties of the polyurethane foams was analyzed. The TGA analysis showed improved stability of the final char with the addition of DMMP in the foams. All the foams maintained a well-defined cellular structure and over 95% of closed cell content. The horizontal burning test showed reduced burning time and weight loss from 115 s and 38 wt% for the neat foams to 3.5 s and 5.5 wt% for DMMP containing foams (1.94 wt% P). The combustion test using a cone calorimeter showed a considerable reduction in heat release rate and total heat release. Thus, our study shows that corn oil-based polyol can be used to produce renewable polyol for industrially producible rigid polyurethane foams. The addition of a small amount of DMMP could result in a significant reduction in flame retardant properties of the polyurethane foams.
Recommended Citation
Ramanujam, Sneha, "SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CORN OIL BASED POLYOL AND ITS APPLICATION FOR RIGID FLAME RETARDANT POLYURETHANE FOAMS" (2019). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 338.
https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/etd/338
