Nano-cellulose based insulation biomaterials for thermal regulation purposes

Thumbnail Image

URL

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Perustieteiden korkeakoulu | Master's thesis

Authors

Date

2021-10-19

Department

Major/Subject

Advanced Materials for Innovation and Sustainability

Mcode

SCI3083

Degree programme

Master's Programme in Advanced Materials for Innovation and Sustainabilityen

Language

en

Pages

61+15

Series

Abstract

There is a growing urgency to develop more sustainable solutions to address climate change impacts. Energy consumption from building thermal regulation is a large contributor to CO2 emissions from heating and cooling units. Phase change materials (PCM), such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), can thermoregulate and alleviate the intensive use of heating and cooling of buildings. Commercial PCMs used for thermo-regulation in buildings still have the problem of leakage from the transformation of solid-liquid phase. Nanocellulose (CNF) is successful in providing physical encapsulation with PEG, referred to as a phase change nanohybrid. In this study, a novel phase change nanocellulose hybrid (PCN) is introduced and characterized. Modified CNF (TEMPO-oxidized, acetylated and lignin, and TiO2 additive containing CNFs) and different processing techniques (3D printing, freeze templating and casting) are explored to observe their effects on the insulating qualities of the PCN. The PCNs exhibited very low bulk densities (0.022-0.043〖g /cm〗^3) and high porosity (95.8-98.1%). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and porosity analysis measured with BJH methods revealed structural properties. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measured latent energy storage (100-160 J/g) and specific heat capacity (up to 2.10 J/gK). The PCN demonstrated stable PEG encapsulation of up to 80 ℃ and 200 ℃ surface temperatures without leakage; imaged with a thermal IR camera. Thermocouple sensors revealed heat transfer behavior and low thermal conductivity (0.035-0.039 W/mK) was determined. Surprisingly, impedance testing revealed sound absorption capability, and compressive dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) indicated the PCN’s structural reformation ability.

Description

Supervisor

Rojas, Orlando

Thesis advisor

Yazdani, Maryam R.

Keywords

insulation, phase change material, nanocellulose, biomaterial, sustainability

Other note

Citation

Permanent link to this item

https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202110249773

Collections

[dipl] Perustieteiden korkeakoulu / SCI