Abstract

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This study is focus on producing polyurethane foams that would have same or better properties compared to the conventional and still be able to undergo biodegradation upon disposal. Microfibers were isolated sequentially using nitric acid, sodium hydroxide and hypochlorite bleaching under different extraction conditions. The cellulose microfibers extracted were characterized for their composition, structure, and properties using prescribed procedures. Polyurethane foams were made from the biopolyol containing as much as 25 ml liquid cellulose. Samples of the foams were characterized based on morphology, density, modulus and compression test using standard methods. The biodegradation integrity of the foams was assessed in this study using short-term accelerated laboratory experiments including microbial analysis, and soil burial experiments. The results were compared with the conventional polyurethane foams. The results showed that the cellulose based polyurethane foam sample with 10-15 ml liquid Fibers have about 75 ± 0.50% cellulose for the acid treated and 79 ± 1.05% for the alkaline treated. The results revealed that the optimum conditions to remove most of non-cellulosic materials from the sugar bagasse were 1M HNO , 7M o 3 NaOH, 3 h and 100 C for both the alkaline and the acid procedure, and 10 ml/L NaClO, 45 minutes and 95 oC for bleaching treatment. The results showed that the studied foams biodegraded under anaerobic conditions. Differences in the properties of the foams produced in comparison with the conventional foams were not significant. However, significant difference was observed in the biodegradation of the foams produced with the conventional foams.

Keywords: Biodegradation, Cellulose, Foam, Polyurethane, Sugar Bagasse