What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to create sustainable, formaldehyde-free phenolic foams using lignin and tannins.

January 16, 2026Open Access

Toward Safer and Greener Insulation: Formaldehyde-Free, Flame-Retardant, and Bio-Based Phenolic Foams from Tannin and Modified-Lignin Combination

JLJevgenij LazkoMateria Nova JMJ. MariageMateria Nova CJCélia JoyetMateria Nova

Key Points

The aim is to create sustainable, formaldehyde-free phenolic foams using lignin and tannins.
Utilized degraded lignin combined with tannins to formulate foams
Conducted mechanical testing, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and flammability tests
Activated lignin through hydrothermal processing with ethanol
Developed foams exhibit satisfactory mechanical and thermal insulation properties
Fire resistance comparable to tannin-based foams with low peak heat release rate
Confirmed effective use of lignin degradation in foam production

Abstract

This study reports on the use of degraded lignin in combination with tannins to develop sustainable, formaldehyde-free, and bio-based phenolic foams. Mechanical, thermal, and flame-retardant properties of the different foams were systematically evaluated using compression testing, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mass loss cone calorimetry (MLC), and UL-94 flammability tests. Lignin degradation/activation was carried out via a hydrothermal process in the presence of ethanol. Ethanol-induced lignin hydrogenolysis and thermal degradation were deemed a necessary step to obtain foams with satisfactory mechanical, morphological, and thermal insulation properties. Meanwhile, the fire resistance assessed by MLC remains comparable to that of tannin-based foams, with a similarly low peak heat release rate (pHRR).

AI से पूछें

Bookmark

View Full Paper