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<p>The pursuit of sustainable insulating materials demands overcoming a fundamental compromise: enhancing thermal resistance often compromises mechanical strength. We hypothesize that nanocellulose, with its high aspect ratio and functional surface, can tackle this dual challenge within a castor oil rigid polyurethane matrix by simultaneously templating fine, insulating and reinforcing cell walls. To test this, we engineered a series of rigid foams with varying nanocellulose content (5–20&#xa0;wt%), using water as a green blowing agent (water-based CO<sub>2</sub> generation 2&#xa0;wt.%). Advanced characterization (FTIR, XRD, EDS, SEM, TGA/DTG, thermal conductivity analysis (TCA)) reveals that nanocellulose acts as a dual-agent: (i) it nucleates a remarkably uniform closed-cell morphology (cell size distribution reduced by 65%), directly responsible for a 19% reduction in thermal conductivity (λ-value); and (ii) it forms a percolating network that reinforces the polymer struts, leading to a 10–15% increase in compressive strength. This work moves beyond filler incorporation to demonstrate a validated nano-architectural strategy for decoupling thermal and mechanical properties, providing a blueprint for designing next-generation, high-performance bio-based insulating composites.</p>

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Dual-function nanocellulose enables concurrent mechanical reinforcement and thermal insulation in castor oil-based rigid polyurethane foams

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月7日

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  • Selma Bennesser,
  • Zahir Bakiri

摘要

The pursuit of sustainable insulating materials demands overcoming a fundamental compromise: enhancing thermal resistance often compromises mechanical strength. We hypothesize that nanocellulose, with its high aspect ratio and functional surface, can tackle this dual challenge within a castor oil rigid polyurethane matrix by simultaneously templating fine, insulating and reinforcing cell walls. To test this, we engineered a series of rigid foams with varying nanocellulose content (5–20 wt%), using water as a green blowing agent (water-based CO2 generation 2 wt.%). Advanced characterization (FTIR, XRD, EDS, SEM, TGA/DTG, thermal conductivity analysis (TCA)) reveals that nanocellulose acts as a dual-agent: (i) it nucleates a remarkably uniform closed-cell morphology (cell size distribution reduced by 65%), directly responsible for a 19% reduction in thermal conductivity (λ-value); and (ii) it forms a percolating network that reinforces the polymer struts, leading to a 10–15% increase in compressive strength. This work moves beyond filler incorporation to demonstrate a validated nano-architectural strategy for decoupling thermal and mechanical properties, providing a blueprint for designing next-generation, high-performance bio-based insulating composites.