Materials (Basel). 2017 Dec 21;11(1). pii: E4. doi: 10.3390/ma11010004.
Abstract
New bio-materials have recently gained interest for use in insulation panels in walls, but wider adoption by the building industry is hindered by their intrinsic properties. The fact that such materials are mainly composed of cellulose makes them combustible, and their hydrophilic surface presents a high water uptake, which would lead to faster biodegradation. A hydrophobic treatment with silica particles was successfully synthesised via Stöber process, characterised, and deposited on hemp shiv. The surface of hemp shiv coated several times with 45 and 120 nm particles were uniformly covered, as well as extensively water repellent. Those samples could withstand in humidity chamber without loss of their hydrophobic property and no sign of mould growth after 72 h of exposure.
KEYWORDS:
hemp shiv; hydrophobicity; insulation; silica particles; stöber process
- PMID: 29267195
- DOI: 10.3390/ma11010004
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Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest. The founding sponsors had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to publish the results. The ISOBIO project aims to develop and bring new bio-based insulation panels and renders into the mainstream for the purpose of creating more energy efficient buildings. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
