Multifunctional Polyphenol Derivatives Enable Tough, Durable Polyurethane Foam for Vibration and Noise Reduction

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Polyurethane foams (PUFs) have broad applications in vibrational damping and noise reduction. However, existing PUFs exhibit poor mechanical properties, are prone to failure under harsh conditions, and have a limited frequency range for vibration damping. In this study, we used a compound T-P 5 as a chain extender for PU molecules. Through chemical bond linkage and multiple hydrogen bonds, the material’s strength and toughness are enhanced, resulting in a tensile strength of 10 MPa for the PUFs and the ability to withstand puncture stress up to 40 MPa. Additionally, the design of multiple dynamic hydrogen bonds and a closed-cell structure effectively absorbs and dissipates energy over a wide frequency range, the T-P 5 -PUF exhibits good vibration attenuation and sound insulation, and the average sound absorption coefficient can exceed 0.30 with a thickness of only 2 mm. Furthermore, the material’s elasticity and durability have been validated under cyclic loading, UV exposure, high temperatures, and in liquid environments with high metal-ion content. This work not only demonstrates a simple strategy for enhancing the mechanical properties of polyurethane foam materials but also provides opportunities for the large-scale application of PUFs in harsh environments.