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Thermal Insulation in Masonry Walls01:22

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In hot, dry climates, the thermal mass of masonry walls can be beneficial, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night, thereby stabilizing indoor temperatures. However, in most other climates, additional insulation is necessary to enhance thermal resistance.
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 Every plant cell has a cell wall that protects the cell, provides structural support, and gives the cell shape. Cellulose, the main structural component of the plant cell wall, makes up over 30% of plant matter. It is the most abundant organic compound on earth.  Cellulose is an unbranched polysaccharide composed of linear chains of glucose molecules linked by β (1→4) glycosidic bonds.
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Betulin Enables Multifunctional Cellulose-Based Insulative Foams with Low Environmental Impacts.

Xun Niu1, Hui Zhu1, Sameer Mhatre1

  • 1Bioproducts Institute, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.

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This study introduces sustainable cellulosic fiber foams modified with betulin (BT) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) as eco-friendly insulation. These foams offer enhanced fire, water, and microbial resistance, outperforming traditional polyurethane foams.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Sustainable Chemistry
  • Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

  • Synthetic foams are crucial for insulation but raise environmental concerns regarding production and disposal.
  • Building envelopes require materials with mechanical strength, water, fire, and mold resistance.
  • There is a growing demand for sustainable, bio-based alternatives to petroleum-derived insulative materials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a sustainable, eco-friendly insulative foam as an alternative to traditional polyurethane foams.
  • To enhance the performance of cellulosic fiber-based foams through surface modification.
  • To evaluate the environmental impact and cost-effectiveness of the novel foam materials.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a wet-foam laying strategy with cellulosic fibers to create hierarchical structures.
  • Incorporated betulin (BT), a bioactive molecule from tree bark, and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) onto the fiber surfaces via urethane linkages.
  • Assessed material properties including mechanical strength, thermal insulation, superhydrophobicity, fire retardancy, microbial resistance, and durability.
  • Conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing the new foams with rigid polyurethane foams.

Main Results:

  • The BT-modified cellulosic foams exhibited superhydrophobicity (water contact angle >150°).
  • Foams demonstrated excellent fire retardancy, self-extinguishing within 10 seconds, and microbial resistance.
  • Materials showed durability with no degradation in soil after 3 months.
  • Life cycle assessment revealed significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (96%) and human toxicity (92%) compared to polyurethane foams.

Conclusions:

  • The developed cellulosic fiber foams modified with betulin and PDMS offer a sustainable and high-performance alternative to conventional polyurethane foams.
  • Betulin acts as a key agent for imparting antimicrobial, hydrophobic, and synergistic fire-retardant properties.
  • The study highlights the potential of valorizing bark-derived betulin for scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly insulation solutions.