Abstract：Cell opening agents, as key additives for regulating the porous structure of polyurethane foam, directly affect the mechanical strength, breathability, and comprehensive application value of the final products. In this study, polyether polyol-based cell opening agents with varying molecular weights were synthesized via 1,2-epoxyhexane ring-opening polymerization, using lauryl alcohol as the initiator and bimetallic cyanide (DMC) as the catalyst. The effects of their molecular weight and dosage on the cell structure, mechanical properties, and cell opening content of polyurethane foam were systematically investigated, alongside a comparative performance analysis with commercially available cell opening agent. The results demonstrated that when the proportion of polyether polyol LA-50 as cell opening agent was 2.5%, the resulting foam had a cell opening structure of uniform 3D network and achieved a cell opening content of 94.2% while exhibiting excellent mechanical properties (tensile strength of 206.7 kPa, elongation at break of 220.4%), which was comparable to the commercial cell opening agent Y-1900. The molecular weight and property synergistic mechanism of polyether polyol as cell opening agents provided a basis for the development of high-performance eco-friendly polyurethane materials.
ZUO Zhenlin,TANG Qiuyu,ZAI Shaobo et al. Synthesis of Novel Polyether Polyols for Cell Opening Agents and Their Application in Polyurethane Foams[J]. Chemical Reaction Engineering and Technology, 2025, 41(3): 400-406.
