Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : High-strength Composite by Upcycling Common Polymer Foams

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Researchers Develop High-strength Composite by Upcycling Common Polymer Foams

A team of researchers led by UCLA chemical engineers has discovered a way to make tough and durable composite materials with strength comparable to that of cement by recycling a common polymer foam found in sofas and mattresses. 

Inspired by Unique Microstructure of Clamshells:

The discovery was inspired by naturally occurring high-strength materials, such as clamshells or nacre the shiny material of which pearls are made. These materials are characterized by their unique microscale structure of interconnected plates, which makes them very resistant to cracking under stress.

Led by Samanvaya Srivastava, an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, the research team aimed to create a synthetic composite material composed of both inorganic and organic phases with comparable strength, which has been a longstanding challenge in the field.

Published in ACS Polymers Au and featured on the journal’s February cover, the study highlights the new material’s rock-like nature. The composite has a lighter weight, requires shorter curing time and possesses stronger bend strength than cement — which, mixed with water or sand, makes concrete for building infrastructure. 

“The simplicity of the fabrication approach and the potential of this material for applications in diverse fields really set it apart from other composites.

The composite also creates a new recycling route for polyurethane foam, commonly used in furniture like sofas and mattresses or inside vehicles, due to its cushioning properties and durability. Until now, recycling these materials has been challenging, as the resulting products often have inconsistent properties, such as being chemically unstable and having undesirable colors.

Does Not Require Complicated Processing Conditions:

“These high-strength composites can perform as excellent thermal and acoustic barriers.To make them, we have designed a chemical pathway to upcycle a common polymer into materials with superior mechanical and functional properties as compared to commercially available materials, including cement.” 

Previous attempts to produce similar biologically inspired composite materials predominantly featured metal alloys and minerals, such as aluminum oxide. Unfortunately, these materials require the use of high temperatures and extensive processing. Recent attempts have utilized polymers in combination with inorganic materials, such as graphite and zinc oxide. Polymers are preferable due to their relatively widespread availability, strength and flexibility.

Could be a Sustainable Alternative to Cement:

The new composite material features permanent chemical covalent bonds between recycled organic compound polyols and naturally occurring inorganic materials, which contribute to its strength and durability.

source:UCLA/omnexus.specialchem.com