Abstract
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.
Highlights
Despite the global effort attempting to reverse the impacts associated with climate change a recent study by the United Nations shows that causes and impacts of such action are accelerating rather than slowing down [1]
The building sector might play a vital role in climate change mitigation since it is responsible for a large share of the energy consumption (~40%) and CO2 emissions (36%) in the European Union (EU) [2]
As depicted, depicted, cork has a highly porous microstructure made by closed cells which explain their low apparent density cork has a highly porous microstructure made by closed cells which explain their low apparent
Summary
Despite the global effort attempting to reverse the impacts associated with climate change a recent study by the United Nations shows that causes and impacts of such action are accelerating rather than slowing down [1]. Despite the promising results demonstrating the interesting potential of cork as a multifunctional lightweight aggregate to produce inorganic polymer composites, the specimens’ mechanical performance was poor possibly due to the use of black expanded cork (thermally decomposed) rather than untreated cork. In those studies the composites were produced using only cork. The influence of using a foaming agent, cork, or their combination in the specimens’ thermal conductivity and mechanical performance was evaluated This investigation is a significant step forward in comparison with other literature studies attempting to clarify the most promising synthesis protocol to produce materials combining low thermal conductivity and moderate load-bearing capacity. The use of unexplored industrial wastes to produce innovative products for the construction sector is a very important strategy for achieving sustainable development
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