Preparation of rigid polyurethane foams using matal acetylacetonate-amine catalysts

Abstract

This work is interested in the development of catalysts for rigid polyurethane foam preparation. Metal-amine complexes have been synthesized from metal acetylacetonate [M(acac)₂] and amines then use as catalysts in the preparation of rigid polyurethane foams. The metal-amine complexes synthesized were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. It was found that the metal-amine complexes are much less smelly as compared to dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA), which is a commercial catalyst commonly used in the preparation of rigid polyurethane foams. The foams were prepared using the isocyanate index of 100 and 150. The reaction times during the foam preparation were investigated. The completeness of polymerization reaction was studied using ATR-IR spectroscopy by following isocyanate conversion. The densities of the rigid polyurethane foams were determined and compared. The experimental results showed that the reaction times, physical and mechanical properties of the foams prepared by use of the metal-amine complexes were comparable to those prepared from dimethylcyclohexylamine.