Microcellulose as a natural filler in polyurethane foams based on the biopolyol from rapeseed oil

Rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams based on biopolyols from rapeseed oil were modified with microcellulose in the amounts of 3, 6 and 9 wt % with respect to the mass of the foams. The biopolyol was synthesized using transesterification of rapeseed oil with triethanolamine. The content of the microcellulose in the PUR system was limited by the increased viscosity of the polyol premix. The viscosity of the polyol premix increased from 297 (for the unmodified system) to 1394 mPa . s (for the system modified with 9 wt % of microcellulose). The introduction of the microcellulose to the PUR systems slightly decreased their reactivity. The addition of the microcellulose caused an increase of the apparent density of the modified foams and the content of closed cells. The biofoams modified with microcellulose were characterized by a similar apparent density. It was found that the modification of the PUR systems with the microcellulose had a positive effect on the mechanical properties and reduced the brittleness of the obtained porous biocomposites in comparison to the reference, unmodified foam. The thermal properties and flammability of the obtained biocomposites were also analyzed. Unexpectedly, it was found that the addition of the microcellulose increased the oxygen index of the modified foams from 20.5 to 21.2 (for the material modified with 9 wt %).