SUPERVISOR: Alexander BISMARCK

PROJECT ASSIGNED TO: Nesrine Battoul DEBABÈCHE

This PhD thesis is done within the framework of a European project called « Bread Cell » [1], which aims to develop renewable and biodegradable materials [1], having no negative environmental impact on our planet, by replacing synthetic polymers or in other word fossil resources, with bio-based materials.
The material to be investigated in this project is a bio-foam, made from wood pulp fibers, these fibers are mixed with additives that will allow them to be bonded, and then mixed again with a surfactant for foam form, the obtained foam is a lightweight porous material [2],[3]. However, it has a very poor mechanical properties and high flammability, which limits its field of application. The aim of this PhD is to improve these properties, it could be by crosslinking [2] or by adding other natural additives [3] that can enhance its properties. In addition to that, developing the ideal environmentally friendly process of a sandwich structure for this foam to give better properties, leading to a large field of application.

References:

[1]    Proposal-SEP-210668546
[2]    He, S., Liu, C., Chi, X., Zhang, Y., Yu, G., Wang, H., ... & Peng, H. (2019). Bio-inspired lightweight pulp foams with improved mechanical property and flame retardancy via borate cross-linking. 371, 34-42.

[3] Liao, J., Luan, P., Zhang, Y., Chen, L., Huang, L., Mo, L., ... & Xiong, Q. (2022). A lightweight, biodegradable, and recyclable cellulose-based bio-foam with good mechanical strength and water stability. 10(3), 107788.