Study of Aerogel-Modified Recycled Polyurethane Nanocomposites

In this study, a liquid regenerated polyether polyol was obtained after the degradation of waste PU foam by the two-component decrosslinker agents ethylene glycol and ethanolamine. The regenerated polyol-based polyurethane foam was modified by adding different ratios of SiO2 aerogel through the self-preparation of silica aerogel (SiO2 aerogel) to prepare aerogel/regenerated polyurethane foam nanocomposites of SiO2 aerogel-modified regenerated polyurethane composites. A series of analytical tests on self-prepared silica aerogel and aerogel-modified recycled polyurethane foam composites were performed. The analysis of the test results shows that the regenerated rigid PU foam obtained with SiO2 aerogel addition of 0.3% in the polyurethane degradation material has a small density, low thermal conductivity, and higher compressive strength; hence, the prepared silica aerogel-regenerated polyol-based polyurethane nanocomposite has good thermal insulation and strength support properties. The clean, low-carbon, and high-value utilization of recycled waste polyurethane was achieved.

Automated summary

A liquid regenerated polyether polyol was obtained through the degradation of waste PU foam using ethylene glycol and ethanolamine as decrosslinker agents. Silica aerogel was added to the regenerated polyol-based polyurethane foam to prepare aerogel-modified nanocomposites. The analysis of test results showed that the addition of 0.3% SiO2 aerogel resulted in regenerated rigid PU foam with small density, low thermal conductivity, and higher compressive strength, indicating good thermal insulation and strength support properties of the silica aerogel-regenerated polyol-based polyurethane nanocomposites. This study achieved the clean, low-carbon, and high-value utilization of recycled waste polyurethane.