Preparation and characterization of diatomite and hydroxyapatite reinforced porous polyurethane foam biocomposites.

Porous three-dimensional (3D) polyurethane-based biocomposites were produced utilizing diatomite and hydroxyapatite as fillers. Diatomite and Hydroxyapatite (HA) were utilized to reinforce the morphological, chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of polyurethane foam (PUF). Diatomite and Hydroxyapatite were added into polyurethane at variable percentages 0, 1, 2, and 5. The mechanical properties of PUF were analyzed by the compression test. According to the compression test results, the compressive strength of the polyurethane foam is highest in the reinforced foam at 1% by weight hydroxyapatite compared to other reinforced PUFs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images presented structural differences on foam by adding fillers. Functional groups of PUF were defined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and the thermal behavior of PUF was studied with Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The obtained results revealed that PUF/HA biocomposites indicated higher thermal degradation than PUF/Diatomite biocomposites.