Bio-polyurethane Based Nanocomposites Membranes: Synthesis and Characterization
Biopolymer-based nanocomposites are an alternative to replace petroleum-based polymers due to their user-friendliness, biodegradability, abundance, and non-toxicity. Additionally, polymers derived from natural resources have the potential to align with the principles of a circular economy. Castor oi...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Chemical Engineering Transactions |
| Online Access: | https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/15340 |
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| Summary: | Biopolymer-based nanocomposites are an alternative to replace petroleum-based polymers due to their user-friendliness, biodegradability, abundance, and non-toxicity. Additionally, polymers derived from natural resources have the potential to align with the principles of a circular economy. Castor oil, a natural, non-toxic, and inedible compound, offers numerous advantages, including low cost, abundant availability, and non-competition with food production. In this study, bio-polyurethane (BPU) nanocomposite membranes were synthesized via in situ polymerization using castor oil, 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), 1,4-butanediol (BD), glycerine (Gly), and fumed silica (SiO2) nanoparticles, with varying silica concentrations (0%, 0.5%, and 1%). The membranes were characterized in terms of surface morphology, cross-sectional structure, pore size distribution, surface area, water contact angle, and were compared with commercial polypropylene (PP) membranes. The results showed that while PP membranes exhibited a normal distribution of micropores, mesopores, and macropores, the BPU nanocomposite membranes only contained mesopores. Furthermore, the maximum pore size of the BPU nanocomposite membrane containing 1.0% SiO2 was reduced by more than 80% compared to the membrane containing 0.5% nanoparticles. This work characterizes the structure of a new membrane synthesized from a renewable resource and assesses the effect of silica addition in the characteristics of the membrane as potential substitutes for fossil-derived membranes. |
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| ISSN: | 2283-9216 |