Thermal Resistance Properties Research Articles

Preparation and performance research of ecological concrete using waste wood

To mitigate environmental damage from mineral aggregate extraction, bio-based materials have garnered research interest as potential replacements for natural mineral aggregates. This work utilized waste wood as filler to prepare lightweight foam concrete with thermal insulation, low-temperature and corrosion resistance properties. The feasibility of using wood aggregate-based foam concrete (WFC) was explored in terms of dry density, softening coefficient, compressive strength, thermal conductivity, chloride ion permeability, freezing resistance, and sulfate attack resistance. Results showed that simultaneous addition of waste wood aggregate (WA) and foam effectively reduced WFC bulk weight and thermal conductivity while enhancing water resistance. However, the porous morphology of WA and foam caused the reduction of mechanical properties. In terms of durability, the addition of WA can increase the energy absorption capacity when WFC is subjected to expansion stress, reduce the damage to the structure, and have an inhibiting effect on the cracking of WFC caused by sulfate attack and freeze-thaw cycles. Nevertheless, WA's high water absorption loosened the matrix in WFC's interfacial transition zone (ITZ), increasing harmful pores and negatively affecting durability. In addition, in order to predict the mechanical properties of WFC and the resistance to sulfate attack, this study established a function model for the relationship between the compressive strength (Maintenance specimens of the same age and Specimen of sulfate attack) and the WA dosage. In conclusion, The use of waste wood for the preparation of WFC is more advantageous and sustainable than conventional foam concrete for the insulation of precast walls and coastal structures.

Interfacial enhancement by constructing a “flexible-rigid” structure between high-modulus fillers and low-modulus matrix in carbon fiber/silicone rubber composites

Silicone rubber (SR) has excellent resistance to high temperatures, and carbon fiber (CF) is a commonly reinforced material. However, the application of carbon fiber in SR composites is limited by the large difference in modulus between the two materials. In order to improve the interfacial bonding of the composites and to exert the reinforcement of carbon fibers, a modulus transition interface, a “flexible-rigid” structure was constructed between CF and SR by coating polydopamine-polyethyleneimine@silica (PDA-PEI@SiO2) on the carbon fiber surface. The results show that the “flexible-rigid” structure of the PDA-PEI@SiO2 layer not only enhanced the mechanical properties but also improved the thermal resistance and wave-transmission properties of the CF/SR composites. Surface microscopy and structural analysis showed that the “flexible-rigid” structure was successfully coated on the fiber surface, and significantly improved the roughness of the fiber surface. It provided the mechanical meshing between the fiber and matrix when the CF/SR composites were subjected to the tensile loads. The tensile strength and elongation of the SR composite with CF-A-E@8SiO2 were 37.16 % and 27.46 % higher than that with unmodified CF, respectively. The electrical test showed that the “flexible-rigid” structure could reduce the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of CF/SR composites, thereby improving the wave-transmission properties. Further mechanism analysis of the interfacial bonding showed that abundant hydrogen bonds in the “flexible-rigid” structure at the interface promoted stress dissipation and avoided stress concentration. Meanwhile, the formation of Si-O-Si with high bonding energy also protected the interface from destruction. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) found that the introduction of Si-O-Si bonds could significantly improve the thermal resistance of the CF/SR composites at 350 °C for 2 h. It provides guidance for the improvement of the interface bonding in the fiber/rubber composite as well as its functionality.

Mechanical and thermal properties of Gyroid-based W[sbnd]Cu composites produced via laser powder bed fusion assisted by infiltration

Plasma-facing components for thermonuclear fusion reactors require the introduction of new materials due to outstanding demands in mechanical, thermal, and thermal cycle fatigue resistivity properties. One promising solution is the WCu composite material or multimaterial that combines the properties of both components. In the present work, WCu samples were obtained by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) consolidation of a tungsten porous matrix followed by copper infiltration. A design of structures with ordered porosity was achieved by translation of skeletal gyroid unit cell (triply periodic minimal surface). A relative density of 96.7% was achieved for solid pure tungsten samples with optimized LPBF process conditions. As-built W gyroid samples had a 15–20% ultimate compressive strength (UCS) of the solid sample. After the infiltration with copper, the ductility of WCu composites increased drastically, i.e. the samples did not fracture at a strain of 35%. It was found that UCS, yield strength (YS), and thermal diffusivity were sensitive to gyroid unit cell size. The sample with the smallest cell size of 2 mm had superior YS of 626 MPa and thermal diffusivity of 76.4 mm2/s. The obtained results will shed light on the possibilities for further development of WCu manufacturing technology based on the LPBF method combined with subsequent infiltration.

Microstructure and properties of forsterite-zirconia composite ceramics for solar thermal storage

Solar thermal power generation is an important direction of energy utilization, and thermal storage materials are the key to ensure the continuous use of energy. In this paper, forsterite - zirconia composite ceramics were prepared by adding different contents of 3Y–ZrO2 and their physical properties, phase composition, microstructure thermal shock resistance and thermal physical properties were studied. The results showed that the water absorption, bulk density and bending strength of sample A3 sintered at 1600 °C (59.10 wt% fused magnesia, 40.90 wt% quartz and 30 wt% 3Y–ZrO2) were 0.35 %, 3.27 g/cm3 and 83.66 MPa, respectively. The crystal phase of sample A3 was forsterite and c-ZrO2. Mg2+ and Y3+ replace Zr4+, formed oxygen vacancy in the anion position, distort the coordination layer and release some interlayer stress to promote the stability of c-ZrO2. In the sintering process, the zirconia solid solution existed in the form of second phase, which reduced the growth rate of periclase, facilitated the pore discharge in the sample and promotes sintering. The thermal conductivity of forsterite - zirconia composite ceramics at room temperature was 5.52 W/(m·K). At 1000 °C, the specific heat capacity and heat storage density were 1.09 J/(g·K) and 1062.36 kJ/kg, respectively. The forsterite - zirconia composite ceramic prepared in this study was suitable for high temperature environment, its heat storage capacity was excellent, and it was suitable for high temperature heat storage system.

Study on electrical, thermal, mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of conductive silicone rubber for polymer-based metal composite grounding electrodes

Study on electrical, thermal, mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of conductive silicone rubber for polymer-based metal composite grounding electrodes

Investigating the Age-Dependent behavior of MoS2-hBN nanohybrid additives on the rheological properties of diesel engine oil

This study utilizes Design of Experiment (DOE) to optimize the viscosity of MoS2-hBN nanolubricants, synthesized using a microwave synthesis platform that significantly reduces synthesis time and energy consumption compared to other methods. The investigation focuses on viscosity and aging characteristics, aiming to understand the relationship between nanolubricant viscosity and key factors: nanoparticle concentration, temperature, and shear rate. The study shows that the optimal concentration of MoS2-hBN nanoparticles is 0.05 wt%. At this concentration, when subjected to a shear rate of 200 (1/s) and a temperature of 100°C, the highest viscosity recorded is 12.87 mPa·s. In contrast, at 40°C and a shear rate of 50 (1/s), the lowest viscosity measured is 113.42 mPa·s. Experimental validation confirms the accuracy of the model predictions. The study also examines MoS2-hBN nanolubricant aging behavior under constant high-temperature conditions (100 °C for 120 h), providing insights into its thermal stability, tribological performance, oxidation resistance, and thermal conductivity properties. Compared to SAE20W40 base oil, the nanolubricant reduces friction and wear, forming a protective boundary film to mitigate surface damage. It exhibits enhanced oxidation stability, acting as a free radical scavenger, and improved thermal conductivity due to increased heat transfer efficiency facilitated by nanoparticles. These findings highlight the potential of MoS2-hBN nanolubricant for high-temperature applications, contributing to enhanced engine performance and durability.

Effects of Thermal Cycling on the Mechanical Strength of TPU 3D-Printed Material

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a three-dimensional (3D) printing technology known for its low-cost rapid manufacturing of parts. Nowadays, various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and maritime are using this technology to manufacture 3D-printed parts that have undergone high temperatures. The material used in this study is the Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), which is the most commonly-used type of Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) in 3D printing. This material is a combination of substances from the qualities and characteristics of both thermoplastic and vulcanized thermoset rubber. TPU has excellent abrasion resistance, hardness, chemical, and thermal resistance properties. In addition, TPU is a great fit for making hoses, gaskets, and seals due to its oil and grease resistance properties. Due to the growing application of 3D-printed materials at elevated temperatures, this study aims to characterize the tensile strength of TPU 3D-printed materials when thermal cycled. The test results concluded that the tensile properties of TPU 3D-printed specimens were significantly influenced by the number of thermal cycles it was subjected to. The samples that underwent four thermal cycles exhibited the highest modulus of elasticity and stress at 200% strain. While samples which underwent 2, 8, and 16 thermal cycles resulted to a higher modulus of elasticity and tensile stress at 200% strain than the untreated specimen.

High‐performance ZSR/P(MMA/BA) composites with enhanced thermal and excellent water resistance properties

AbstractAcrylate had developed rapidly because of its excellent chemical resistance, high‐gloss surface, and weather resistance. However, the poor heat resistance of acrylate limited its application in coatings. To overcome this problem, an organic–inorganic hybrid polymer of zirconium silicone resin (ZSR)‐modified acrylate has been successfully synthesized by solution polymerization. The results indicated that the heat resistance of acrylate was significantly improved due to the SiOSi and SiOZr structures of ZSR and the increased cross‐linking density induced by ZSR. After the incorporation of ZSR, the decomposition temperatures of 5% of acrylate increased from 300.4 and 349.2°C. The performance of the ZSR/(P(MMA/BA)) showed no significant change in uniformly heating at 200°C for 24 h. The composite films showed hydrophobicity, with the contact angles increasing to more than 90°. The S4 sample displayed the outstanding comprehensive performance, that is, 5% weight loss at 341.3°C, water contact angle of 97.9°, elongation at break of 852%, and tensile strength of 9.9 MPa. The high‐performance heat resistant coating is a promising material for application in architecture, decoration, and mechanical equipment.

Preparation of KH550-grafted-nanosilica microspheres to improve the mechanical, thermal and wear resistance properties of fluoroelastomer

We presents an innovative approach to addressing the mechanical properties limitations of fluororubber (FKM) in the industrial field. A novel functionalized nano-silica spheres (SiO2), grafted with amino groups, were constructed by utilizing chemical grafting. The surface modification of the nanosilica microspheres enables the formation of C=N bonds between the amino-functionalized nanosilica microspheres and FKM promoting high dispersion and strong interfacial bonding of SiO2, resulting in an exceptional mechanical enhancement function for FKM composite. Compared to original FKM, the FKM/SM-A-10 composite demonstrates remarkable improvements in both tensile strength and hardness by 242% and 49%, respectively. Additionally, there is a notable 40% enhancement in thermal conductivity of the FKM/SM-A-10 composite. This straightforward and efficient manufacturing approach for achieving high-performance FKM proves to be a valuable and practical foundation for industrial design.

Heat transfer mechanism and performance optimization scheme of refractory oxide solid heat storage materials

Clean energy advances can drive solid heat storage technology. Because of their high-temperature, corrosion, and excellent thermal shock resistance properties, refractory oxides are widely used as solid heat storage materials. However, their applications are limited owing to their poor heat-transfer performance resulting from their multicomponent, multiphase, and complex nature and thus understanding their heat-transfer mechanism will be crucial for their performance optimization. In this study, the thermal properties and mechanisms of corundum, high-alumina, and magnesia bricks were characterized using heat-transfer theories and models. Macroscopic analysis of the bricks revealed that they are all “internal porosity” materials. By comparing the weighting parameter j, the multiphase high-alumina brick shows poor heat-transfer path patency and the measured thermal conductivity is the lowest at 3.55 W m−1 K−1. Microscopic analysis found that in contrast to the thermal conductivity of other materials, the thermal conductivity of high-alumina bricks was significantly affected by phonon intrinsic scattering. Moreover, corundum and magnesia bricks exhibited a wider range of ultimate heat-transfer performance than the high-alumina brick. Hence, the heat-transfer performance of refractory oxide can be enhanced by increasing their particle contact, reducing the negative effects of microcracks, phases, and impurities, and by reducing the number of defects on phonon heat transfer, thereby providing an optimization scheme for improving the heat-transfer performance of the materials.

Thermal and Sound Insulation Properties of Organic Biocomposite Mixtures.

Sustainable building materials with excellent thermal stability and sound insulation are crucial for eco-friendly construction. This study investigates biocomposites made from cellulose pulp reinforced with beeswax, fir resin, and natural fillers like horsetail, rice flour, and fir needles. Eight formulations were obtained, and their thermal resistance, oxidation temperature, and acoustic properties were evaluated. Biocomposites exhibited significant improvements compared to conventional materials. Oxidation temperature onset increased by 60-70 °C compared to polyurethane foam or recycled textiles, reaching 280-290 °C. Sound absorption coefficients ranged from 0.15 to 0.78, with some formulations exceeding 0.5 across mid-frequencies, indicating good sound-dampening potential. These findings demonstrate the promise of these biocomposites for sustainable construction, offering a balance of thermal and acoustic performance alongside environmental and health benefits.

Analyzing the interactions and miscibility of silk fibroin/mucin blends

AbstractMucin, a glycoprotein with viscoelastic properties, and silk fibroin, a protein excreted from silkworms with properties of thermal and mechanical resistance, have been probed as building blocks in the design of biomaterials. Aiming to evaluate the interaction and miscibility between mucin and fibroin, we synthesized silk fibroin and mucin (SF/MU) blends for biomedical applications. The morphological analysis of the SF/MU blends showed the presence of two phases, suggesting a partial miscibility between the polymers. The degradation temperature of the SF/MU blends increased with an increase in the silk fibroin content, indicating that silk fibroin contributed to the thermal stability of the blends. The glass transition temperature of the SF/MU blends lay between the values of the pure polymers. The Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy results pointed out that the interaction between fibroin and mucin occurred between the amine group of silk fibroin and mucin carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. The outcomes of this work provided essential information on the miscibility of the SF/MU blends. These findings will be critical for further studies with fibroin and mucin‐based biomaterials, especially in mucoadhesive systems and wound healing applications.

The Influence of the Green Density on the Quality of ZTA Zirconia Toughened Alumina Plungers

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the green density (ρ<sub>g</sub>) on the sintered density (ρ<sub>s</sub>), shrinkage according height and diameter (HS, DS), relative density, porosity and hardness of ZTA ceramic plungers. Zirconia toughened alumina is characterized by excellent properties of hardness, toughness, thermal and chemical resistance, which make composite material interesting for multiple applications. Some of the significant applications of ZTA ceramics are in the production of biomedical implants, cutting tools, parts for pumps and others. The material is composed of high purity alumina 90% and 10% of zirconium oxide. This material successfully compensate fragility of the alumina and zirconium oxide price. After 24 hours of milling in a ball mill (Dorst, Germany) slurry with a specific surface 25 832 cm2/g was transferred into a mixer with addition of binders (PVA + soap based binder) through a vibrating sieve (British and Foreign Patents). Solid content (%) of the slurry in amount of 69.16 was confirmed by thermogravimetric and differential gravimetric analyzes. The 1000 kg of the powder dried by spray drying (Spray dryer Niro) contains 2.6% of binders and 0.2% of moisture. Three sets of plungers with outer diameter of 3.6 cm, inner diameter of 2.0 cm and height of 7.6 cm were produced by cold isostatic pressing (CIP) using different pressures. The first set marked as 'A' was pressed by pressure of 80 MPa, the second set marked as 'B' was pressed by pressure of 100 MPa, and third set marked as 'C', was pressed by pressure of 150 MPa. According to statistical data processing, comparison and analysis of the results it is concluded that the quality of the ZTA plungers, in specific presented case, significantly depends on the green density (ρ<sub>g</sub>).

A physical organic strategy to predict and interpret stabilities of chemical bonds in energetic compounds for the discovery of thermal-resistant properties.

The in-depth understanding about the stability of chemical bonds in energetic compounds plays a central role for molecular design and safety-related evaluations. Most energetic compounds contain nitro as explosophores, and nitro cleavage is fundamental for thermal and mechanical stability. However, the quantum chemistry approach to accurately predict energy and temperature properties related to bond stability is challenging, due to the tradeoff between computational costs and deviations. Herein, the bond orders are proposed as accurate and computational-cost efficient descriptors for predicting the chemical bond stability and thermal-resistant properties. The intrinsic bond strength index (IBSI) demonstrates the best prediction for experimental homolytic bond dissociation energies (R2 > 0.996), which is on par with the results from high-precision quantum chemistry methods. The effects from bond connectivity and steric hindrance hierarchy were analyzed to reveal underlying mechanisms. Additionally, the IBSI descriptors are successfully applied to predict the thermal decomposition temperatures of 24 heat-resistant energetic compounds (R2 = 0.995), thus validating the effectiveness for the prediction and interpretation of chemical bond stability in energetic compounds via a physical organic approach. All DFT calculations were performed with Gaussian 09 software. To investigate the dependence of the method on functionals and basis sets, 9 DFT methods were considered (B3LYP/6-31G(d,p), B3LYP/6-311G(d,p), B3LYP/def2-TZVP, M062X/6-31G(d,p), M062X/6-311G(d,p), M062X/def2-TZVP, ωB97XD/6-31G(d,p), ωB97XD/6-311G(d,p), and ωB97XD/def2-TZVP). The bond order descriptors LBO and IBSI are obtained through the bond order analysis module in the Multiwfn software.

Deposition voltages on the phase evolutions, microstructures, and oxidation behaviors of thermal-resistance Glass-MoSi2-SiC coating

ABSTRACT Due to the high oxidation activities at high temperatures, traditional SiC coating was difficult to act as an antioxidant material for ages. In this case, the multilayered Glass-MoSi2-SiC coating was fabricated on the C/C substrate, combined with hydrothermal electrophoresis deposition and simple embedding process. It was found that the composite obtained at 10 V performed outstanding combinations of oxidation resistance and thermal shock resistance properties. The weight loss of this Glass-MoSi2-SiC-C/C composite was only 0.99% after 212 h oxidation at 1773 K. After thermal shock for 130 times, the mass was just 0.05% lower than that of the initial. These excellent heat-resistant performances were much better than those in similar reports, which was attributed to the suitable coating composition and dense interlayer structure. As oxidized at 1773 K, the in-situ SiO2 phases had a self-healing ability to fill micropores and microcracks to protect the structure. The structure failure was related to SiO2 volatilization. This study emphasized the importance of simple techniques in the thermal-resistance coating fields at multiple length scales.

Influence of Nano-Fly Ash on mechanical properties, microstructure characteristics and sustainability analysis of Alkali Activated Concrete

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) composites significantly affect the atmosphere by emitting Carbon dioxide (CO2) during its production process. The addition of Nano Materials (NM) for the construction could change the matrix configuration at the nano level. Compared to other NMs, converting industrial by-products and locally available materials into nano size can enhance the characteristics of the binder composites. This research work focuses on the effects of Nano Fly ash (nFA), on the fresh, mechanical, microstructural, and thermal resistance properties of Fly Ash (FA) and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) based Alkaline Activator Nano Concrete (AANC). The impact of adding nFA in various concentrations of 3 %, 6 %, 9 %, 12 %, and 15 % on the properties of AANC was studied. By adding nFA in an optimal proportion, the degree of geo-polymerization is improved which is found by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDAX) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Results indicate that the addition of nFA significantly increased polymerization, reducing initial and final setting times by 13.3 %–52.5 % and 5.3 %–28.8 %, respectively. Moreover, nFA promoted the formation of polymer gel, leading to a denser microstructure with fewer cracks and refined pores, resulting in a substantial increase in mechanical strength, particularly with 9% nFA, achieving an optimal CS of 56.14 MPa after 28 days which is 37.97 % improvement compared to the mix without nFA. However, when nFA was added, beyond 9 %, the performances declined due to its high surface area resulting in a non-uniform dispersion that promoted agglomeration. This dispersion enhances the formation of C-A-S-H and C–S–H gels. The addition of nFA in AANC can be an environmentally friendly solution by reducing CO2 emissions, energy consumption, cost reduction and increased sustainability.

Effect of Biochar and Sewage Sludge Ash as Partial Replacement for Cement in Cementitious Composites: Mechanical, and Durability Properties

With the significant pace of industrialization, the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) through cement manufacture, as well as from developed environments, will undoubtedly rise yearly. Biochar as a byproduct of biomass pyrolysis can be utilized in concrete to partially replace cement. Because of its ecological and economic benefits, such as carbon sinks or carbon capture, low thermal conductivity, chemical resistance, and low thermal properties, biochar has risen in popularity in recent years. On the other hand, the possibility of using sludge ash as a cement substitute in the process of making mortar has recently attracted increasing interest. The effectiveness and acceptability of using pine cones as a byproduct of biochar and sludge ash, a byproduct of wastewater treatment, to produce mortar in place of cement are being intensively explored. The integration of biochar and sludge ash into cementitious materials is a possible approach for pollution reduction by replacing Portland cement and reducing collection and disposal in landfills. In order to create high-performance mortar, this study experimentally explores the impacts of combining biochar at an optimal of 6% and sludge ash at optimal of 10%. It analyzes the rheological, mechanical, and durability attributes across curing times of 7 and 28 days in both wet and dry environments, while keeping a constant temperature of 20 °C. As a result, at 28 days, every blend was higher compared to baseline mixture at 7 days. Increases of 19.52% and 13.78%, as well as 24.76% and 21.68%, were seen in the mixtures with 5% and 10% sludge ash (SA) at 28 days compressive strength. With percentage increments for both 7 days and 28 days of 6.6% and 30.9% and 2.2% and 14.1%, the binary blend utilizing BC3SA10 and BC3SA5 significantly outperformed the reference mix. In mortar, the use of biochar could reduce capillary absorption. In addition, its inclusion fastens the rate of hydration of the cement and prevents shrinkage cracks in the mix. The current study concentrates on the significant features of biochar and sludge ash that have an impact on cementitious materials performance. The fresh as well as hardened properties of various concrete and mortar mixes after the replacement of cement with biochar and sludge ash components have been extensively reviewed based on the research results. In a nutshell, biochar and sludge ash materials are an excellent alternative for cement in construction.

Synthesis of Biobased Poly(butylene Furandicarboxylate) Containing Polysulfone with Excellent Thermal Resistance Properties.

A synthetic biopolymer derived from furandicarboxylic acid monomer and hydroxyethyl-terminated poly(ether sulfone) is presented. The synthesis involves 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone and 4,4-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, resulting in poly(butylene furandicarboxylate)-poly(ether sulfone) copolyesters (PBFES) through melt polycondensation with titanium-catalyzed polymerization. This facile method yields segmented polyesters incorporating polysulfone, creating a versatile group of high-temperature thermoplastics with adjustable thermomechanical properties. The PBFES copolyesters demonstrate an impressive tensile modulus of 2830 MPa and a tensile strength of 84 MPa for PBFES55. Additionally, the poly(ether sulfone) unit imparts a relatively high glass transition temperature (Tg), ranging from 36.6 °C for poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) to 112.3 °C for PBFES62. Moreover, the complete amorphous film of PBFES exhibits excellent transparency and solvent resistance, making it suitable for applications, such as food packaging materials.

Use of alumina dispersant in alumina‐spinel castable: Comparison between in situ and preformed spinels

AbstractThe role of alumina dispersant as a flow modifier, completely replacing fume silica, on the properties of preformed and in situ spinel‐containing low cement high alumina castables was investigated with variations in spinel content and granulometry. Both 10 and 20 wt.% spinel‐containing compositions were prepared using preformed spinel or magnesia in alumina castable compositions with vibratable and self‐flowing consistency. The castables underwent conventional processing methods and accessed for various refractory‐related parameters post‐heat treatments. No glassy phase was observed in the castables upon firing. The presence of self‐flowing consistency led to improved characteristics. Preformed spinel‐containing compositions showed improved density, strength, hot strength, and thermal shock resistance properties, whereas slag corrosion and penetration resistances were found to be higher for in situ spinel‐containing castable.

Environment-friendly, high-performance cellulose nanofiber-vanillin epoxy nanocomposite with excellent mechanical, thermal insulation and UV shielding properties

With the increased demand for biobased epoxy thermosets as an alternative to petroleum-based materials in various fields, developing environment-friendly and high-performance natural fiber-biobased epoxy nanocomposites is crucial for industrial applications. Herein, an environment-friendly nanocomposite is reported by introducing cellulose nanofiber (CNF) in situ interaction with lignin-derived vanillin epoxy (VE) monomer and 4, 4´-diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM) hardener that serves as a multifunctional platform. The CNF-VE nanocomposite is fabricated by simply dispersing the CNF suspension to the VE and DDM hardener solution through the in-situ reaction, and its mechanical properties and thermal insulation behavior, wettability, chemical resistance, and optical properties are evaluated with the CNF weight percent variation. The well-dispersed CNF-VE nanocomposite exhibited high tensile strength (∼127.78 ± 3.99 MPa) and strain-at-break (∼16.49 ± 0.61 %), haziness (∼50 %) and UV-shielding properties. The in situ loading of CNF forms covalent crosslinking with the VE and favors improving the mechanical properties along with the homogeneous dispersion of CNF. The CNF-VE nanocomposite also shows lower thermal conductivity (0.26 Wm−1K−1) than glass. The environment-friendly and high-performance nanocomposite provides multiple platforms and can be used for building materials.