Preparation, Characterization and Dye Decolorization Application of Chitosan/Polyurethane Foam Material

A series of chitosan/polyurethane (Cs/PU) materials were prepared from polyether polyol, isophorone diisocyanate, chitosan, n-hexane as foaming agent, dibutylbis (lauroyloxy) tin as catalyst and silicon oil as stabilizer by foaming technique. The materials were characterized by FT-IR, DSC and TGA. Cs/PU materials were used to decolorize azo dye. Decolorizing process was spontaneous at ambient temperature and presented an exothermic characteristic. The decolorization experiments were carried out and around 78% of the azo present in solution could be removed. The experimental results suggest that the Cs/PU materials have potential applications as decolorizing agent for the treatment of dye effluents.