A novel method of utilizing the biomass resource: Rapid liquefaction of wheat straw and preparation of biodegradable polyurethane foam (PUF)

In the paper, wheat straw was rapidly liquefied in the mild condition. The optimum liquefaction effect was obtained at steam-explosion pretreatment of wheat straw, liquefaction temperature of 140 degrees C, solvent/wheat straw ratio of 6: 1, glycol (EG):glycerol = 5, sulfuric acid of 5%, and wheat straw of water content of 150%. During the liquefaction, cellulose, semi-cellulose and lignin are decomposed, which results in changes of hydroxyl value, acid value, viscosity and weight-average molecular weight of the reaction system. The liquefaction product was used to prepare polyurethane foam. Compared with the normal PUF, the foam had similar mechanical properties and better water absorption and biodegradability. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers.