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Sci Rep

Title:		"Compostable, fully biobased foams using PLA and micro cellulose for zero energy buildings"
Author(s):		Oluwabunmi K; D'Souza NA; Zhao W; Choi TY; Theyson T;
Address:		"Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76207, USA. Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76207, USA. nandika.dsouza@unt.edu. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76207, USA. nandika.dsouza@unt.edu. Tenstech, Inc, 424 Shrewsbury Lane, Matthews, NC, 28105, USA"
Journal Title:		Sci Rep
Year:		2020
Volume:		20201020
Issue:		1
Page Number:		17771 -
DOI:		10.1038/s41598-020-74478-y
ISSN/ISBN:		2045-2322 (Electronic) 2045-2322 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Ecological, health and environmental concerns are driving the need for bio-resourced foams for the building industry. In this paper, we examine foams made from polylactic acid (PLA) and micro cellulose fibrils (MCF). To ensure no volatile organic compounds in the foam, supercritical CO(2) (sc-CO(2)) physical foaming of melt mixed systems was conducted. Mechanical and thermal conductivity properties were determined and applied to a net zero energy model house. The results showed that MCF had a concentration dependent impact on the foams. First structurally, the presence of MCF led to an initial increase followed by a decrease of open porosity, higher bulk density, lower expansion ratios and cell size. Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed that MCF decreased the glass transition of PLA allowing for a decrease in cell wall thickness when MCF was added. The mechanical performance initially increased with MCF and then decreased. This trend was mimicked by thermal insulation which initially improved. Biodegradation tests showed that the presence of cellulose in PLA improved the compostability of the foams. A maximum comparative mineralization of 95% was obtained for the PLA foam with 3 wt.% MCF when expressed as a fractional percentage of the pure cellulose reference. Energy simulations run on a model house showed that relative to an insulation of polyurethane, the bio-resourced foams led to no more than a 12% increase in heating and cooling. The energy efficiency of the foams was best at low MCF fractions"
Keywords:
Notes:		"PubMed-not-MEDLINEOluwabunmi, Kayode D'Souza, Nandika Anne Zhao, Weihuan Choi, Tae-Youl Theyson, Thomas eng Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. England 2020/10/22 Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 20; 10(1):17771. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-74478-y"