Enhanced performance of polyurethane foam with presence of silica nanoparticles

• Published in: Composites communications 2024-02, Vol.46, p.101841, Article 101841
• Main Authors: Ma, Fu-Xin, Achagri, Ghizlane, Zhou, Lin-Cheng, Hao, Bin, Ma, Peng-Cheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological stability; Chemical stability; Nanocomposites foam; Polyurethane foam
• ISSN: 2452-2139; 2452-2139
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coco.2024.101841

Polyurethane foam (PUF) has been widely used in wastewater treatment, and developing such foam with improved stability is highly desirable in industry. In this study, nanocomposite foam with silica nanoparticles was developed, aiming at enhancing the thermal, chemical, and biological stability of material. FT-IR, TEM and TGA techniques were employed to study the performance of nanocomposite foam. The results showed that when the SiO2 nanoparticles were modified by KH550 with an optimized molar ratio, the dispersion of these nanoparticles was enhanced significantly, and the developed nanocomposite foam showed much enhanced thermal stability and marginal weight loss in various chemicals. The nanocomposite foam with 3.0 wt% of nanoparticles exhibited the most significantly biochemical stability. [Display omitted] •Nanocomposite foam made from silica nanoparticle and polyurethane was reported.•The optimum condition for the synthesis of nanocomposite foam was determined.•Nanoparticle plays a key role in governing the morphology and density of foam.•Nanocomposites exhibited enhanced thermal, chemical and biological stabilities.•The results provide insight on the formulation of functional polyurethane foam.