Multifunctional Polyphenol Derivatives Enable Tough, Durable Polyurethane Foam for Vibration and Noise Reduction

Polyurethane foams (PUFs) have broad applications in vibrational damping and noise reduction. However, existing PUFs exhibit poor mechanical properties, are prone to failure under harsh conditions, and have a limited frequency range for vibration damping. In this study, we used a compound T-P₅ as a chain extender for PU molecules. Through chemical bond linkage and multiple hydrogen bonds, the material’s strength and toughness are enhanced, resulting in a tensile strength of 10 MPa for the PUFs and the ability to withstand puncture stress up to 40 MPa. Additionally, the design of multiple dynamic hydrogen bonds and a closed-cell structure effectively absorbs and dissipates energy over a wide frequency range, the T-P₅-PUF exhibits good vibration attenuation and sound insulation, and the average sound absorption coefficient can exceed 0.30 with a thickness of only 2 mm. Furthermore, the material’s elasticity and durability have been validated under cyclic loading, UV exposure, high temperatures, and in liquid environments with high metal-ion content. This work not only demonstrates a simple strategy for enhancing the mechanical properties of polyurethane foam materials but also provides opportunities for the large-scale application of PUFs in harsh environments.