Upcycling PVC and PET as Volume-Enhancing Functional Fillers for the Development of High-Performance Bio-Based Rigid Polyurethane Foams

Princess Claire D. Ochigue, Roger G. Dingcong, John Christian S. Bondaug, Brian Christian G. Magalong, Gerard G. Dumancas, Carlo S. Gutierrez, Arnold C. Alguno, Roberto M. Malaluan, Arnold A. Lubguban () and Hernando P. Bacosa
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Princess Claire D. Ochigue: Center for Sustainable Polymers, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City 9200, Philippines
Roger G. Dingcong: Center for Sustainable Polymers, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City 9200, Philippines
John Christian S. Bondaug: Center for Sustainable Polymers, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City 9200, Philippines
Brian Christian G. Magalong: Sustainable Resource Engineering Research on Construction Technologies, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City 9200, Philippines
Gerard G. Dumancas: Honors College, North Carolina A&T State University, 1601 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
Carlo S. Gutierrez: Comparative Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, Singapore 11926, Singapore
Arnold C. Alguno: Department of Physics, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City 9200, Philippines
Roberto M. Malaluan: Center for Sustainable Polymers, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City 9200, Philippines
Arnold A. Lubguban: Center for Sustainable Polymers, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City 9200, Philippines
Hernando P. Bacosa: Center for Sustainable Polymers, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City 9200, Philippines

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-19

Abstract: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) contribute significantly to global plastic waste, with only 9% recycled in recent years. In this work, these plastic wastes were upcycled as functional fillers to improve the rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) properties. To attain this target, we leveraged the intrinsic polarity of the C=O and C-Cl groups of PVC and PET to induce intermolecular attractions with the N-H groups of the polyurethane matrix, evidenced by the observed IR peak shifts. This enhanced the nucleating effect during foaming, increasing the foams’ compressive strengths by 77% and 22% with the addition of 10% PVC and 5% PET filler, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of PVC and PET fillers increased the foam volume. Thus, the collective utilization of PPW and its corresponding impact on the CO-based RPUF’s properties signifies a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 14.15% and 17.52% for PVC and PET, respectively. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed improved thermal stability and degradation profiles of the produced RPUFs. Overall, this work highlights potential advancement in environmentally responsible upcycling strategies for common end-of-life plastic wastes, while enhancing rigid foam properties.

Keywords: bio-based rigid polyurethane foam; polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fillers; upcycling; sustainable (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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