A comparative study on multifunctional properties of flexible bio based PU foam reinforced with nanoparticles for emerging applications

Abstract

Most polyols used to make commercial polyurethane (PU) foam come from petrochemicals. newlineTo reduce the impact on the environment, this study investigates using castor newlineoil (CO), a renewable resource, to make a lightweight, flexible, bio-based PU foam using newlineabsorption and hydrothermal reduction (AHR). The research incorporates the use newlineof bamboo charcoal (BC), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), and graphene nanoparticles in a newlinestatistical design of experiments approach using a central composite design (CCD) to newlineconsistently create diverse foam compositions. Response surface methodology (RSM) newlineis then utilized to determine the optimal weight percentage of nanoparticles for producing newlinethe highest noise reduction coefficient, electromagnetic interference shielding newlineeffectiveness, and tensile strength. MATLAB is used to figure out the tortuosity, airflow newlineresistivity, porosity, thermal, and viscous characteristic lengths from the sound absorption newlinecoefficient (SAC). This shows that 0.1 wt.% GNP, 0.1 wt.% ZrO2, and 2.5 wt.% newlineBC produced the highest noise reduction coefficient (NRC) value of 0.628. The confirmation newlinesample had an experimental NRC of 0.608 and a simulated NRC of 0.617. The newlinesound pressure level (SPL) plot showed that the average SPL dropped by 5 to 34 dB. newlineAlso, 0.1 wt.% GNP, 0.5 wt.% ZrO2, and 2.5 wt.% BC gave the best electromagnetic newlineinterference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of 28.61 dB, and 0.5 wt.% GNP, 0.5 wt.% newlineZrO2, and 2.5 wt.% BC gave the best tensile strength (TS) of 127.43 kPa. The confirmation newlinesample yielded an experimental EMI SE and tensile strength of 28.30 dB and newline126 kPa, respectively. The reinforced flexible bio-based PU foam was found to have newlineUL-94 flame ratings of V-0 and V-1, indicating increased flame retardancy compared newlineto the non-reinforced foam, which had a V-2 rating. This study highlights the potential newlineof nanoparticle-reinforced flexible bio-based composite foam as a material for electric newlinevehicle noise reduction, EMI shielding, tear, and fire resistance. newline newline