Development of highly repellent silica nanoparticles for protection of bio-based insulation

 
The construction sector is on the critical path to decarbonise the European economy by 2050. To achieve this objective it needs reducing its CO2 emission by 90%. For this reason, a new class of low environmental impact construction materials are becoming increasingly important. A European funded project ISOBIO coordinated by TWI is aimed at taking a radical approach to the use of bio aggregates to create novel construction materials that are usable in high volume, as well as developing markets such as exterior insulation of existing house. The approach taken is to use finely chopped material protected from bio-degradation through the use of functionalised silica nanoparticles. They are synthesised by sol-gel processing and functionalised with silanes to impart multifunctionality e.g. hydrophobicity and chemical bonding between the silica nanoparticles and the substrate