Characterisation of Bio composites for Bio-Manufacturing: Jute-reinforced Bacterial Cellulose for Construction

Abstract

This research investigates the biological, mechanical and thermal characterisation of the jute-reinforced bacterial cellulose biocomposites to forecast their potential and performance in bio-manufacturing for architectural construction. The experimental trial-and-error-based methodology involves seven stages: Material formulation, manufacturing of biocomposite samples, mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and biodegradation assessment. The results indicated that the use of biobased construction materials has a potential to reduce carbon footprint, while the addition of jute fibres resulted in enhanced mechanical properties such as higher elasticity and desirable stiffness compared to pure bacterial cellulose. Moreover, slight distinctions in thermal property analysis and biodegradation assessments across the specimens are observed. The findings contribute valuable data for material selection, design optimization, and structural considerations in the integration of these biopolymers into construction practices. Overall, this research aligns with the broader objective of advancing ecological construction starting from the material formulations, thus addressing the scalability of these materials, considering their potential for large-scale adoption in the construction industry.