Investigation of sound insulation properties of biopolyol based antimicrobial polyurethane foams

In this study, biopolyol-based polyurethane foams with antimicrobial properties were synthesized and the performance properties of these foams such as sound absorption, thermal conductivity and compressive strength were investigated. Biopolyols were obtained by acid-catalyzed solvothermal liquefaction of lavender and thyme pulps, which were generated as waste after the aromatic oil production process. Biopolyols were characterized by determining of their hydroxyl number, acid number and viscosity values. Polyurethane foams were synthesized with different water (chemical blowing agent) contents using only biopolyols as polyol sources. In order to emphasize the "zero waste" concept of the study and to improve the performance properties of the foams, secondary wastes remaining from the liquefaction process were added to the foams. Antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus bacteria was obtained in the foams. Depending on the open cell ratio, density, average cell size values of the foams and the additive amount, improvements were achieved in the thermal insulation, compression strength and sound absorption properties of the foams.