journal article·2017-09Open access

A cork–silica xerogel nanocomposite with unique properties

A. R. Garcia, M. F. Júlio, L. M. Ilharco

Abstract

Taking advantage of the bonding between cork and silica xerogel, environmentally friendly nanocomposites are synthesized by a sol-gel process and dried at ambient pressure, with a superb combination of properties: densities near 600 kg m−3, surface areas of ~200 m2 g−1, mechanical strength up to 24 MPa, Shore D hardness up to 58 and, moreover, flame retardant. These properties are tunable by adjusting the synthesis parameters. The effects of cork granulometry and pre-swelling, and of the catalysis conditions are analyzed. Potential applications for these innovative nanocomposites are envisaged as replacement of thermoplastic polymers or hard wood, when non-flammability is desirable. The present approach opens a range of possibilities for developing unique composite materials that use natural and inexpensive raw resources and soft synthesis processes, with little energy requirements.
Source: openaire · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Aerogels and thermal insulation · Pickering emulsions and particle stabilization · Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

References (33)

Show source-provided references
1. Braga DFO, Tavares SMO, da Silva LFM, Moreira PMGP, de Castro PMST (2014) Advanced design for lightweight structures: review and prospects. Prog Aerosp Sci 69:29–3910.1016/j.paerosci.2014.03.003 ↗
2. Jelle BP (2011) Traditional, state-of-the-art and future thermal building insulation materials and solutions - properties, requirements and possibilities. Energy Build 43:2549–256310.1016/j.enbuild.2011.05.015 ↗
3. Koebel M, Rigacci A, Achard P (2012) Aerogel-based thermal insulation: an overview. J Sol–Gel Sci Technol 63:315–33910.1007/s10971-012-2792-9 ↗
4. Wegst UGK, Bai H, Saiz E, Tomsia AP, Ritchie RO (2015) Bioinspired structural materials. Nat Mater 14:23–3610.1038/nmat4089 ↗
5. Demirel MC, Cetinkaya M, Pena-Francesch A, Jung H (2015) Recent advances in nanoscale bioinspired materials. Macromol Biosci 15:300–31110.1002/mabi.201400324 ↗
6. Pereira H (2007) Cork: biology, production and uses. Elsevier, Amesterdam
7. Gibson LJ, Easterling KE, Ashby MF (1981) The structure and mechanics of cork. Proc R Soc Lond A 377:99–11710.1098/rspa.1981.0117 ↗
8. Pierre AC, Rigacci A (2011) In: Aegerter MA, Leventis N, Koebel MM (eds.) Aerogels handbook, Springer Science + Business Media, New York
9. Gurav JL, Jung I-K, Park H-H, Kang ES, Nadargi DY (2010) Silica aerogel: synthesis and applications. J Nanomater 2010:1–1110.1155/2010/409310 ↗
10. Silva SP, Sabino MA, Fernandes EM, Correlo VM, Boesel LF, Reis RL (2005) Cork: properties, capabilities and applications. Int Mater Rev 50:345–36510.1179/174328005X41168 ↗
11. Miranda I, Gominho J, Pereira H (2012) Cellular structure and chemical composition of cork from the Chinese Cork Oak (Quercus Variabilis). J Wood Sci 59:1–910.1007/s10086-012-1300-8 ↗
12. Pereira H (1988) Chemical composition and variability of Cork from Quercus Suber L. Wood Sci Technol 22:211–21810.1007/BF00386015 ↗
13. Garcia AR, Lopes LF, Brito de Barros R, Ilharco LM (2015) The problem of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole in Cork planks studied by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy: proof of concept. J Agric Food Chem 63:128–13510.1021/jf503309a ↗
14. Rocha SM, Goodfellow BJ, Delgadillo I, Neto CP, Gil AM (2001) Enzymatic isolation and structural characterisation of polymeric suberin of Cork from Quercus Suber L. Int J Biol Macromol 28:107–11910.1016/S0141-8130(00)00163-X ↗
15. Olivella MA, Fernández I, Cano L, Jové P, Oliveras A (2013) Role of chemical components of cork on sorption of aqueous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Int J Environ Res 7:225–234
16. Gil AM, Lopes M, Rocha J, Pascoal Neto CA (1997) 13C solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic study of cork cell wall structure: the effect of suberin removal. Int J Biol Macromol 20:293–30510.1016/S0141-8130(97)00029-9 ↗
17. Wang H, Tucker M, Ji Y (2013) Recent development in chemical depolymerization of lignin: a review. J Appl Chem 2013:1–910.1155/2013/838645 ↗
18. Socrates G (2004) Infrared and raman characteristic group frequencies, 3rd Edn. Wiley, Chichester, p 244
19. Frone AN, Berlioz S, Chailan J-F, Panaitescu DM, Donescu D (2011) Cellulose fiber-reinforced polylactic acid. Polym Compos 32:976–98510.1002/pc.21116 ↗
20. Tee YB, Talib RA, Abdan K, Chin NL, Basha RK, Md Yunos KF (2013) Thermally grafting aminosilane onto kenaf-derived cellulose and its influence on the thermal properties of poly (Lactic acid) composites. BioResources 8:4468–4483
21. Fidalgo A, Ilharco LM (2004) Chemical tailoring of porous silica xerogels: local structure by vibrational spectroscopy. Chemistry 10:392–39810.1002/chem.200305079 ↗
22. Vidinha P, Barreiros S, Cabral JMS, Nunes TG, Fidalgo A, Ilharco LM (2008) Enhanced biocatalytic activity of ORMOSIL encapsulated cutinase: the matrix structural perspective. J Phys Chem C 112:2008–201510.1021/jp0761867 ↗
23. Morgado P, Garcia AR, Ilharco LM, Marcos J, Anastácio M, Martins LFG, Filipe EJM (2016) Liquid mixtures involving hydrogenated and fluorinated alcohols: thermodynamics, spectroscopy and simulation. J Phys Chem B 120:10091–1010510.1021/acs.jpcb.6b04297 ↗
24. Chmel A, Mazurina EK, Shashkin VS (1990) Vibrational spectra and defect structure of silica prepared by non-organic sol–gel process. J Non-Cryst Solids 122:285–29010.1016/0022-3093(90)90993-V ↗
25. Fidalgo AM, Ilharco LM (2012) Tailoring the structure and hydrophobic properties of amorphous silica by silylation. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 158:39–4610.1016/j.micromeso.2012.03.009 ↗
26. Brunauer S, Emmett PH, Teller E (1938) Adsorption of gases in multimolecular layers. J Am Chem Soc 60:309–31910.1021/ja01269a023 ↗
27. Pintor AMA, Silvestre-Albero AM, Ferreira CIA, Pereira JPC, Vilar VJP, Botelho CMS, Rodríguez-Reinoso F, Boaventura RAR (2013) Textural and surface characterization of cork-based sorbents for the removal of oil from water. Ind Eng Chem Res 52:16427–1643510.1021/ie402038n ↗
28. Rouquerol F, Rouquerol J, Sing KSW, Llewellyn P, Maurin G (2014) Adsorption by powders and porous solid: principles, methodology and applications, 2nd edn. Academic Press, Oxford
29. Lagorce-Tachon A, Karbowiak T, Champion D, Gougeon RD, Bellat J-P (2015) Mechanical properties of cork: effect of hydration. Mater Des 82:148–15410.1016/j.matdes.2015.05.034 ↗
30. Lequin S, Chassagne D, Karbowiak T, Gougeon R, Brachais L, Bellat J-P (2010) Adsorption equilibria of water vapor on Cork. J Agric Food Chem 58:3438–344510.1021/jf9039364 ↗
31. ANSI/UL 94-2001 (2001) Standard for safety for test for flammability of plastic materials for parts in devices and appliances. UL 94, Revised 5th ed
32. ASTM C209-15 (2015) Standard test methods for cellulosic fiber insulating board. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA
33. Ashby MF (2011) Materials selection in mechanical design, 4th edn. Elsevier, Amsterdam