Non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) Foams: Overcoming challenges and embracing sustainability

IF 4.1 2区化学 Q2 POLYMER SCIENCE

Polymer Pub Date : 2025-06-06 DOI:10.1016/j.polymer.2025.128658

Pooja Singh, Manpreet Kour, Gunjan Varshney, Raminder Kaur

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Abstract

Polyurethane (PU) foams are widely acknowledged for their versatility and utility across numerous industries, owing to their remarkable properties. However, concerns regarding the toxicity associated with isocyanates have driven the imperative for Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane (NIPU) foams. NIPU foams offer a promising alternative, harnessing greener synthesis routes to mitigate environmental and health risks. However, the production of NIPU foams poses significant difficulties due to the challenges of substituting alternate reagents for isocyanates. This review examines the complex field of NIPU foam synthesis, exploring various methodologies such as transurethanisation and thermal carbamate decarboxylation. The diverse biomass sources such as carbohydrates, terpenes and oleochemicals are examined for their potential in advancing sustainable foam production. Furthermore, this paper comprehensively discusses the technological advancements necessary to overcome hurdles in NIPU foam synthesis. It elucidates the role of different blowing agents and the utilization of characterization techniques, such as rheological analysis and microscale combustion calorimetry, among others, in elucidating foam properties. The environmental and economic considerations surrounding NIPU foam production are addressed, highlighting the potential for cost-effectiveness and sustainability. This review offers valuable perspectives on the current state and future prospects of NIPU foams, illuminating pathways towards their widespread adoption across diverse applications.

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非异氰酸酯聚氨酯（NIPU）泡沫：克服挑战，拥抱可持续性

聚氨酯（PU）泡沫因其卓越的性能而在许多行业中具有多功能性和实用性而得到广泛认可。然而，对与异氰酸酯相关的毒性的担忧已经推动了非异氰酸酯聚氨酯（NIPU）泡沫的必要性。NIPU泡沫提供了一个有前途的替代品，利用更环保的合成路线来减轻环境和健康风险。然而，由于替代试剂替代异氰酸酯的挑战，NIPU泡沫的生产面临重大困难。本文综述了NIPU泡沫合成的复杂领域，探索了各种方法，如转surethanisation和热氨基甲酸酯脱羧。研究了碳水化合物、萜烯和油脂化学物质等多种生物质来源在促进可持续泡沫生产方面的潜力。此外，本文还全面讨论了克服NIPU泡沫合成障碍所需的技术进步。它阐明了不同发泡剂的作用和表征技术的利用，如流变分析和微尺度燃烧量热法等，在阐明泡沫性质。解决了围绕NIPU泡沫生产的环境和经济考虑，突出了成本效益和可持续性的潜力。这篇综述对NIPU泡沫的现状和未来前景提供了有价值的观点，为其在各种应用中的广泛采用指明了途径。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Polymer 化学-高分子科学

CiteScore

7.90

自引率

8.70%

发文量

959

审稿时长

32 days

期刊介绍： Polymer is an interdisciplinary journal dedicated to publishing innovative and significant advances in Polymer Physics, Chemistry and Technology. We welcome submissions on polymer hybrids, nanocomposites, characterisation and self-assembly. Polymer also publishes work on the technological application of polymers in energy and optoelectronics. The main scope is covered but not limited to the following core areas: Polymer Materials Nanocomposites and hybrid nanomaterials Polymer blends, films, fibres, networks and porous materials Physical Characterization Characterisation, modelling and simulation* of molecular and materials properties in bulk, solution, and thin films Polymer Engineering Advanced multiscale processing methods Polymer Synthesis, Modification and Self-assembly Including designer polymer architectures, mechanisms and kinetics, and supramolecular polymerization Technological Applications Polymers for energy generation and storage Polymer membranes for separation technology Polymers for opto- and microelectronics.