At the III National Conference of the SCI Division of Chemistry for Technologies and the XIV National Conference of the Italian Association of Chemistry for Engineering (AICIng), held in Milazzo from 1 to 4 September, the spotlight also turned to sustainable mobility, circular innovation and smart materials. Within this context, one of the most emblematic contributions of the CO-SMART project was presented by Professor Maurizia Seggiani from the University of Pisa, who showcased her research entitled “Multifunctional Flexible Bio-based Polyurethane Foams Incorporating Phase Change Materials”.
Prof. Seggiani’s contribution—supported by an inter-university research team (Pisa, Bologna, Bari)—is part of the activities of Spoke 11 of the MOST (Mobility Smart Territories) project, funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). It aims to develop sustainable and intelligent materials for automotive interiors and other energy-efficient applications.
Bio-based polyurethane foams that store energy
The study focused on the synthesis of multifunctional flexible polyurethane foams, made from waste cooking oil and integrated with microencapsulated phase change materials (PCM). The result? A material that not only provides thermal insulation but also intelligently stores and releases thermal energy.
The foams, produced using polyol derived from WCO (waste cooking oil) and a partially bio-based isocyanate, demonstrated an ability to absorb up to 26.2 J/g of thermal energy, maintaining a stable phase change temperature of 36°C—close to ambient temperature.
More sustainability, better performance
The presence of PCM microcapsules enhanced the mechanical strength of the foams, increasing both density and stiffness, with only a slight compromise in elasticity. Nevertheless, fatigue tests confirmed good resistance to repeated loading cycles, showing that the material retains its properties under dynamic conditions typical of automotive environments.
Thermally, the foams displayed a slight increase in conductivity, yet remained suitable for insulation purposes. From a safety perspective, fire performance remained stable, thanks to the balance between the flammable paraffin content and the flame-retardant silica coating.
A material for the future of mobility (and beyond)
The potential of these bio-based, multifunctional foams is clear: lightweight, sustainable, thermally insulating and energy-storing, they can be applied not only in the automotive sector, but also in construction and design. The research also enhances the value of an urban waste stream—used cooking oil—demonstrating how circular economy and energy efficiency can coexist in a single material.
Prof. Seggiani’s presentation generated significant interest at the conference, reinforcing the role of the CO-SMART project as a hub of innovation, where universities, industry and local communities collaborate to build truly sustainable mobility—and a truly sustainable future.
