Microwave-assisted Polyurethane Bond Cleavage via Hydroglycolysis Process at Atmospheric Pressure

The chemical recycling of flexible polyurethane foam wastes were performed through hydroglycolysisprocess under microwave irradiation at atmospheric pressure and 160 C. Glycerin water and sodium hydroxide mixed system was used as destroying agent.Water was added atdifferent rat ios containing 5, 10, 15,20,25,30,35 and 40% of solvent system. The effect of waterin the foam dissolution rate as well as water content of final recovered polyol was investigated.Finally, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy of the recycled polyol were studied and compared with the virgin one.