In this study, Prof. Dr. Tadeu Leonardo Soares and Silva from UERJ, a 14-year member of Dakila Pesquisas, in collaboration with other researchers, developed a scientific article on the use of Kimberlite clay (KI) and montmorillonite clay (MMT) in polyurethane foams, aiming to make them more sustainable.
The text discusses two types of clay that can be used to reinforce polyurethane (PU) foam, making it stronger and giving it better properties. One of the types mentioned is montmorillonite clay (MMT), which has a layered structure and can "swell" when it absorbs water. This happens because there are ions (electrically charged particles) between these layers that can hydrate.
MMT improves PU foam because it can expand and mix well with the material's structure. A clay with a similar structure is Kimberlite clay (kl), which also has layers and can absorb ions and water. In Brazil, kl clay is formed by basaltic soil sediments, making it rare. It has been studied for its "swelling" properties and ability to exchange ions with other substances.
Polyurethane (PU) foam, a ubiquitous material in industries ranging from construction to thermal insulation, is created by a chemical reaction between two main ingredients: polyol and isocyanate. The nature of this reaction and how the mixture is prepared determine the structure of the foam, whether it has open or closed pores (cells), and consequently, its properties.
PU foam, the most widely used form of polyurethane, is expected to increase consumption significantly in the coming years. Its versatility lies in the fact that minor adjustments to its composition can lead to significant improvements in its properties, such as heat resistance, pressure resistance, and water absorption capacity.
Many studies test the addition of different materials to improve PU foam. These include paper pulp, coffee husks, tire rubber, and turkey feather fibers. These materials help to make the foam stronger, more resistant, and sometimes even more environmentally friendly.
A new material is formed when polyurethane (PU) foam is mixed with Kimberlite (kb) clay.
Figure 1. Schematic representation of the methodology used to prepare pure PU and PU foams with different kl contents (PU/KI foams).
The study aimed to test how adding this clay would affect the properties of the foam. The scientists mixed different amounts of clay (10% and 20%) to see how this affected the material's properties.
Materials Figure 2. (Morphological analysis of neat PU, PU/10%kl, and PU/20%kl, where (A) represents OM images of PU/20%kl and foams). FESEM images at 100x magnification in SE and BSE mode. (B) represents pore distribution, pore size, and pore density.
They analyzed these mixtures in several ways, such as examining the foam's structure, testing its strength, measuring how much it absorbs water, and seeing how it reacts to heat. They found that adding clay changes the shape of the foam's pores, making it denser, more heat-resistant, and less water-absorbing. This makes the material stronger and longer-lasting compared to regular foam.
Of particular interest is the fact that the addition of clay has reduced the chlorine content of the foam, thereby enhancing its environmental friendliness. This novel material, a fusion of PU foam and Kimberlite clay, holds promise for many applications, from construction and car part manufacturing to oil spill cleanup, owing to its enhanced resistance and reduced environmental impact.
In short, the text talks about how these clays, especially MMT and KL, can improve PU foam, making it stronger and more durable due to their unique properties.
Research such as this underscores the importance and potential of further exploration into using Kimberlite clay in various applications, its constituent properties, and the benefits it can offer.
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