A multistory, ultra-strong lignocellulose-based structural material for passive solar heating

Abstract

Currently, most people spend 90% of their daily time inside, relying on mechanical heating and air conditioning. Space heating is the largest source of final energy demand, making up about 50% of the total each year. Existing buildings often have insulation and central heating added to reduce energy consumption for heating, which increases construction costs and carbon emissions. Here, a potent and attainable strategy was demonstrated to process lignocellulose into a high-performance passive solar heating wood with satisfactory passive solar heating and mechanical properties. The passive solar heating wood could absorb ultraviolet light and convert it into thermal energy, resulting in continuous above-ambient heating during the cold day. Compared to traditional building materials, passive solar heating wood exhibits superior heating performance (average daytime heating of ∼25.6 °C) and thermal insulation performance (mid-IR emissivity of 0.51). In addition, the passive solar heating wood exhibits ultra-strong specific strength (80.1 MPa g−1 cm3) and specific impact toughness (56.33 kJ m−2 g−1 cm3) than the most of common polymers, ceramics, and concrete, which opens the way for practical application of lignocellulose based structural materials in advanced thermal management buildings.