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The use of natural fibers (NFs) in polymer composites is a modern trend aimed at developing materials with numerous benefits, including low cost, environmental friendliness, biodegradability, and high specific mechanical performance. Ethiopia is abundant in NFs such as palm trees, sisal, water hyacinth, and the newly emerging water lilies. In areas...
Citations
... The composite, made from a polyester resin matrix reinforced with water lily fibres at varying matrix-to-fibre ratios, was tested for flexural strength. Results ranged from 57.92 to 110.73 MPa [91], making this material significantly stronger in bending than standard unreinforced concrete (with a flexural strength of 3 to 10 MPa). The performance of this composite is similar to, or slightly lower than, some high-performance composites, depending on the fibre type and matrix used. ...
The growing need to mitigate the environmental impact of human activities has underscored the importance of biomaterials in sustainable architecture and construction. In this systematic review, advancements in bio-composite materials are consolidated and critically evaluated, emphasizing their thermal insulation properties and broader applications in sustainable building practices. Key aspects analyzed included morphology, internal structure, and thermal performance, along with supplementary insights into mechanical properties when available. The review focused on studies published between January and October 2024, sourced from the Scopus database and adhering to PRISMA guidelines. A keyword meta-analysis using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) illustrated keyword co-occurrence trends. Methods for assessing bias included evaluating study design, data collection processes, and potential conflicts of interest, aligned with PRISMA standards. Significant findings revealed bio-composites achieving thermal conductivity values as low as 0.016 W/m·K, surpassing many traditional materials in insulation performance. Data from 48 studies, analysing 50 bio-composite materials, showed that 44% were optimized for thermal insulation and 40% for sub-structural applications. These materials also exhibit biodegradability and recyclability, critical attributes for sustainable construction. However, challenges such as scalability and durability remain as the key barriers to widespread adoption. In this review, the viability of bio-composites as sustainable alternatives to traditional materials is highlighted and research priorities are identified, particularly in scaling production technologies and enhancing durability testing methods, to advance their application in sustainable building practices.
... The composite, made from a polyester resin matrix reinforced with water lily fibres at varying matrix-to-fibre ratios, was tested for flexural strength. Results ranged from 57.92 to 110.73 MPa [91], making this material significantly stronger in bending than standard unreinforced concrete (with a flexural strength of 3 to 10 MPa). The performance of this composite is similar to, or slightly lower than, some high-performance composites, depending on the fibre type and matrix used. ...
The increasing urgency to reduce the environmental impact of human activities has underscored the critical role of bio-materials in sustainable architecture and construction. This systematic review consolidates and critically analyzes recent advancements in bio-composite materials, focusing on their thermal insulation capabilities and broader applications within the built environment. Data from studies published since the start of 2024 were meticulously selected using stringent inclusion criteria guided by the PRISMA protocol. A meta-analysis conducted via VOSviewer software (version 1.6.20) illustrates keyword co-occurrence in titles and abstracts, highlighting emerging trends in bio-composite research. This review compiles and categorizes information on 50 bio-composite materials with confirmed properties of biodegradability or recyclability, systematically assessing their morphology, internal structure, and thermal characteristics, which are central to their insulation performance. While the primary focus of this review is on the thermal insulation properties of bio-composite materials, the mechanical properties are also included as supplementary data, reflecting the incidental availability of this information in the reviewed studies. The findings emphasize that thermal insulation applications dominate the usage of these materials (44%), followed by sub-structural roles (40%). A comparative analysis highlights the significant bio-composite thermal conductivity (λ) advancements, po-sitioning them as viable alternatives for standard building materials. A detailed matrix is presented to showcase the roles of polymer and ceramic matrices, further contextualizing their potential in construction, particularly for insulation applications. The study identifies critical challenges, such as scalability and du-rability. It proposes future research directions to enhance bio-materials integration in sustainable building practices, prioritising advancing technologies.
