A Green and Structure-Controlled Approach to the Generation of Silicone Rubber Foams by Means of Carbon Dioxide

Silicone rubber foams were successfully generated by environmentally friendly blowing agent, supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2), in this research. Firstly, the effect of the saturation time on the cellular structure was investigated. The diffusion of scCO2 into the rubber matrix would be enhanced thus decreasing the viscosity as increasing the saturation time. It would further promote the cell growth, which has a close connection with the cellular structure. After that, the effect of pre-curing time on cellular morphology of silicone rubber foams was further researched in detail. When increasing pre-curing time in the short time range, cell nucleation would be affected more than cell growth in the foaming process. If continuously increasing pre-curing time, both cell nucleation and growth would be restricted thus resulting in the formation of silicone rubber foams with small cell density and small cell size. This investigation not only provided a green way to produce silicone rubber foams, but also guided us to control cellular morphology via the saturation time and pre-curing time.

[1]  Lingyu Wu,et al.  Unique interfacial and confined porous morphology of PLA/PS blends in supercritical carbon dioxide , 2014 .

[2]  Zhongyuan Lu,et al.  Preparation of silicone rubber foam using supercritical carbon dioxide , 2014 .

[3]  Guangxian Li,et al.  Preparation of nanocellular foams from polycarbonate/poly(lactic acid) blend by using supercritical carbon dioxide , 2013, Journal of Polymer Research.

[4]  I. Hong,et al.  Microcellular foaming of silicone rubber with supercritical carbon dioxide , 2013, Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering.

[5]  A. J. McLaughlin,et al.  Anhydrous formation of foamed silicone elastomers using the Piers–Rubinsztajn reaction , 2012 .

[6]  X. Liao,et al.  Solvent Free Generation of Open and Skinless Foam in Poly(l-lactic acid)/Poly(d,l-lactic acid) Blends Using Carbon Dioxide , 2012 .

[7]  J. Chruściel,et al.  Preparation of flexible, self‐extinguishing silicone foams , 2011 .

[8]  Chul B. Park,et al.  Interfacial tension of linear and branched PP in supercritical carbon dioxide , 2010 .

[9]  Chul Park,et al.  Determination of Solubilities of CO2 in Linear and Branched Polypropylene Using a Magnetic Suspension Balance and a PVT Apparatus , 2010 .

[10]  Wen Xu,et al.  Structure and properties of closed‐cell foam prepared from irradiation crosslinked silicone rubber , 2009 .

[11]  C. Park,et al.  Effects of Branching on the Pressure−Volume−Temperature Behaviors of PP/CO2 Solutions , 2009 .

[12]  David L. Tomasko,et al.  Development of CO2 for polymer foam applications , 2009 .

[13]  E. Park.  Mechanical properties and antibacterial activity of peroxide‐cured silicone rubber foams , 2008 .

[14]  Y. Zuo,et al.  Preparation and characterization of nano-hydroxyapatite/silicone rubber composite , 2008 .

[15]  W. Yuan,et al.  Foaming of polypropylene with supercritical carbon dioxide , 2007 .

[16]  X. Liao,et al.  Layered and Cellular Morphologies in Atactic/Syndiotactic Polystyrene Blends , 2007 .

[17]  S. Bae,et al.  Preparation of polyethylene-octene elastomer/clay nanocomposite and microcellular foam processed in supercritical carbon dioxide , 2006 .

[18]  S. Howdle,et al.  Supercritical carbon dioxide foaming of elastomer/heterocyclic methacrylate blends as scaffolds for tissue engineering , 2005 .

[19]  Jtf Jos Keurentjes,et al.  Foam processing of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) rubber using supercritical carbon dioxide , 2004 .

[20]  Chul B. Park,et al.  Effects of die geometry on cell nucleation of PS foams blown with CO2 , 2003 .

[21]  E. Beckman,et al.  Generation of microcellular polymeric foams using supercritical carbon dioxide. I: Effect of pressure and temperature on nucleation , 1994 .