preprints.org > chemistry and materials science > chemical engineering > doi: 10.20944/preprints202307.1360.v1

Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 18 July 2023 / Approved: 19 July 2023 / Online: 19 July 2023 (16:17:43 CEST)

The exploitation of bio-based foams implies an increase in the use of renewable biological resources to reduce the rapid consumption of petroleum-derived resources. Both tannins and furfuryl alcohol are derived from forestry resources and are therefore considered as attractive precursors for the preparation of tannin-furanic foams. In addition, toughening modification of tannin-furanic foams using polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) resulted in a more flexible network-like structure, which imparts excellent flexibility to the foams with acquirement of relative properties that are even close to those of polyurethane foams, which are the most used polymers for fabrication of insoles for athletes. In addition, the addition of PVOH did not affect the thermal insulation of the foams, resilience and elongation at break, while reducing the brittleness of the samples and improving the mechanical properties. Also the observation of the morphology of the foam indicated that the compatibility between PVOH and tannin-furanic resin is good, and the cured foam does not show fragmentation or collapse, while the bubble pore structure is uniform. The developed flexible foam derived from biomass resources endowed the foam good thermal insulation properties and high mechanical properties, and the samples exhibited suitable physical parameters to be used as flexible insoles for athletes.

Tannin; Furfuryl alcohol; Polyvinyl alcohol; Foam; Insole

Chemistry and Materials Science, Chemical Engineering

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