Fabrication and mechanism of poly(butylene succinate) urethane ionomer microcellular foams with high thermal insulation and compressive feature. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Yue; Zhang, Shuidong; Peng, Xiangfang; Wang, Junsheng
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 99(2018)
• Page Start: 250
• Page End: 258
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Poly(butylene succinate) ionomer -- Supercritical CO2 -- Mechanism -- Microcellular foams -- Compressive strength -- Thermal insulation; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2017.12.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Developed a novel way for preparing high complex viscosity PBS by ionization. Foams morphologies depended on UIG content and dominated their properties. The compressive strength and thermal conduction of foam was 1.6 MPa and 76 mW/m k. Effects of morphologies on the properties of PBSUIs foams were proposed. Abstract: To fabricate biodegradable microcellular foams with high thermal insulation and compressive feature, poly(butylene succinate) urethane ionomer (PBSUIs) were synthesized and foamed by supercritical CO2 via batch foaming method. The intrinsic viscosities, rheological and crystallization properties of PBSUI were characterized by Ubbelohde viscometer, rotational rheometer and X-ray diffraction test, respectively. The results revealed that the complex viscosity of PBSUIs vastly increased with the rise of urethane ionic groups (UIG) content, while its intrinsic viscosity and crystallinity slightly decreased due to the physical network upon UIG aggregation. The morphology, mechanical and thermal insulation properties of PBSUIs foams were evaluated. The results demonstrated that foams morphologies were sensitive to UIG content and dominated their mechanical and thermal insulation properties. PBSUI-3 (3 wt% UIG content) and PBSUI-5 (5 wt% UIG content) microcellular foams exhibited elliptical shape and stretched in the foam-mold height direction, their cells size and opening ratio are smaller than 7.0 μm and 13%, while their cell densities are higher than 4.7 × 10 9 cells/cm 3 . Meanwhile, PBSUI-3 microcellular foam achieved 1.6 MPa compressive strength and 76 mW/m·k thermal conduction. Meanwhile, the foamed, mechanical and thermal insulation properties of PBSUIs microcellular foams were proposed. The study promoted a promising solution for biodegradable thermal insulation material applications.