Thermal performance of polyurethane nanocomposite from phosphorus and nitrogen-containing monomer, polyethylene glycol and polydimethylsiloxane for thermal energy storage applications

Polyurethane nanocomposites were synthesized by using a flame retardant compound containing P and N atoms. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed the structure for the prepared triethanolaminodiethyl phosphate (P-OH). Effective construction of polyurethane foam was achieved between P-OH and toluene-2,4-diisocyanate with inclusion of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). It was then characterized by TGA, DSC, AFM, and XRD. The analyses indicated that the foams were amorphous, but reduced PEG/P-OH (w/w) content changes slightly the microphase separation. An increase in PDMS/PEG ratio in the polyurethane has increased glass transition temperature from 168.3 °C to 177.3 °C. The polyurethane systems were considered as being “slow-burning" with a level of UL-94 V-0, and their ignition delay time was estimated to have eight seconds. This polyurethane system can be used successfully in specific applications for energy-saving measures in buildings.