Biopolyurethane Foams from Banana and Bergamot Peels

Date:27 Oct 2022

Country: Brazil

Application

• Sustainable insulation materials: The biofoams can be used in building and automotive insulation, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional polyurethane foams.
• Eco-friendly packaging: The biofoam can be applied in packaging materials, reducing reliance on petrochemical-based products.

Description

This project explores the use of banana and bergamot peels as bio-based fillers in the production of rigid polyurethane biofoams. Researchers in Brazil incorporated these fruit waste products into polyurethane to improve sustainability and reduce production costs. The study found that bergamot peel showed better chemical compatibility with polyurethane, enhancing thermal stability and cell size. The research suggests that using agricultural waste as fillers can contribute to more sustainable polyurethane manufacturing.

Pathway Description:

The process used in this project involves incorporating dried banana and bergamot peels as bio-based fillers into rigid polyurethane foam. The peels were oven-dried, then analyzed for chemical compatibility and incorporated into the foam at varying concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%). The resulting biofoams were tested for properties like thermal stability, cell size, and compressive strength. Various characterization techniques, including FT-IR, SEM, and thermal stability analysis, were used to evaluate the biofoam's performance.