Bi-Layered Porous/Cork-Containing Waste-Based Inorganic Polymer Composites: Innovative Material towards Green Buildings

• Main Authors: Rui M. Novais, Luciano Senff, João Carvalheiras, João A. Labrincha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-04-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: industrial waste; recycling; thermal conductivity; natural aggregate; composite; alkali activation
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/9/2995

Reduction of the energy consumption and CO₂ emissions by the building sector might be a huge driver to mitigate climate change. One promising approach to mitigate energy consumption is the use of lightweight and low thermal-conductivity materials that could reduce the energy losses inside buildings and at the same time the use of heating and cooling devices that generate associated CO₂ emissions. In this study, different strategies to produce lightweight and low thermal conductivity inorganic polymers were evaluated and compared, including the first ever production of bi-layered porous/cork-containing waste-based inorganic polymer composites. The bi-layered composites showed the lowest density (461 kg/m³) and thermal conductivity (94.9 mW/m K) values and reasonable compressive strength (0.93 MPa) demonstrating their interesting potential for enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings. Moreover, these composites were produced at room temperature, using an industrial waste (biomass fly ash) as precursor and a highly sustainable and renewable resource as light aggregate (cork), preventing the depletion of natural resources and the use of fossil-fuel derivates, respectively.