Bio-Inspired Microstructural Engineering of Polyurethane Foams with Luffa Fibers for Synergistic Optimization of Ergonomic Support and Hygrothermal Comfort.

ABSTRACT: Traditional flexible polyurethane (PU) foams frequently exhibit limited mechanical support and suboptimal moisture-heat regulation, which can compromise the microenvironmental comfort required for high-quality sleep. In this study, natural luffa fibers (LF) were incorporated as a microstructural modifier to simultaneously enhance the mechanical and moisture-heat regulation performance of PU foams. PU/LF composite foams with varying LF loadings were prepared via in situ polymerization, and their foaming kinetics, cellular morphology evolution, and physicochemical characteristics were systematically investigated. The results indicate that LF functions both as a reinforcing skeleton and as a heterogeneous nucleation site, thereby promoting more uniform bubble formation and controlled open-cel

SUBMITTER: Zhang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12899512 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature