Chemical upcycle of polyurethane foams into functional robotic materials

Introduction

Polyurethane foams (PUFs) are a class of polymers widely used for their versatile properties, particularly in cushioning, insulation, and structural applications (i.e., seat cushion, mattress, kitchen sponge, etc.) The common building units for PUF are urethane bonds, which are produced by polyols and isocyanates. With growing demands on minimal environment impact to achieve United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, recycle or further upcycle of PUFs into higher value-added products has drawn great attention.

Objectives

Instead of physical recycle PUFs (regrinding, compression, etc), this project aims to upcycle PUFs into functional robotic materials. By leveraging the intrinsic dynamicity of urethane bonds triggered by base catalysts, PUFs are chemically depolymerized into dissolvable mixtures with functional amine and hydroxyl groups, which could be followingly reconstructed into functional materials via network reforming additives. We will systematically study the upcycle process of PUFs and program thermomechanical properties of reconstructed robotic materials via different network reforming additives.
 

We are looking for a motivated MSc student who wants to contribute to the development of sustainable materials with a dynamic and interdisciplinary.

Appropriate for: Master Thesis, Semester Project
Supervised by: Prof. Hedan Bai, Dr. Wusha Miao