Biocomposite Foams with Multimodal Cellular Structures Based on Cork Granulates and Microwave Processed Egg White Proteins

Giorgio Luciano; Adriano Vignali; Maurizio Vignolo; Roberto Utzeri; Fabio Bertini; Salvatore Iannace

doi:10.3390/ma16083063

Biocomposite Foams with Multimodal Cellular Structures Based on Cork Granulates and Microwave Processed Egg White Proteins

Materials (Basel). 2023 Apr 13;16(8):3063. doi: 10.3390/ma16083063.

Authors

Giorgio Luciano¹, Adriano Vignali¹, Maurizio Vignolo¹, Roberto Utzeri¹, Fabio Bertini¹, Salvatore Iannace¹

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies (SCITEC) "Giulio Natta", National Research Council (CNR), Via Alfonso Corti 12, 20133 Milan, Italy.

Abstract

In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emission, reduce the consumption of natural resources, and increase the sustainability of biocomposite foams, the present study focuses on the recycling of cork processing waste for the production of lightweight, non-structural, fireproof thermal and acoustic insulating panels. Egg white proteins (EWP) were used as a matrix model to introduce an open cell structure via a simple and energy-efficient microwave foaming process. Samples with different compositions (ratio of EWP and cork) and additives (eggshells and inorganic intumescent fillers) were prepared with the aim of correlating composition, cellular structures, flame resistance, and mechanical properties.

Keywords: agricultural waste; cork; egg white proteins; flame resistance; foaming; insulating panels; microwave.

Grants and funding

Thanks are due to the Extended Partnership PE00000004 “Made in Italy Circolare e Sostenibile” (MICS) project, funded by the European Union-Next Generation EU, for financial support.