Fabrication of insulating panels with biological materials: hazelnut shells and potato starch

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.813542510079

• Palavras-chave: Thermal insulation Bio-waste hazelnut shells Sustainable materials Potatoes

• Keywords: Thermal insulation Bio-waste hazelnut shells Sustainable materials Potatoes

• Abstract: The production of biocompatible materials in the construction industry is necessary for several reasons related to human health, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. The primary reason is undoubtedly human health protection, as many traditional building materials have been found to release harmful substances that can cause various diseases, respiratory problems, allergies, or chronic illnesses. Unlike biocompatible materials, which are known to not release toxic substances and are safe for those who live or work in buildings, biomaterials reduce pollution: these materials affect air, water, and soil. Reduced impact on climate change: they produce less CO₂ and greenhouse gases than traditional materials. Conservation of natural resources: Many eco-friendly materials are recycled, recyclable, or derived from renewable sources. Benefits for human health, Fewer toxins: They are less harmful to those who produce them, use them, or live in contact with them (e.g., in construction or food packaging). Improved air quality: Some eco-friendly materials release fewer harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Long-term economic benefits. Resource savings: Durable or recyclable materials reduce production and disposal costs in the long term. Innovation and competitiveness: Companies that invest in sustainability improve their image and can access new markets and financing. Increasingly stringent regulations. National and international laws and regulations are pushing for sustainability, rewarding companies that adopt responsible practices. Social pressure and consumer awareness. Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of products and reward those who adopt sustainable solutions. Using biocompatible building materials means building in a way that's safer for people, more environmentally friendly, and more cost-effective. It's a fundamental choice for modern and sustainable construction the variant is the binder, which is a vegetable, such as potatoes, which will be used as a binder due to its properties. Tests were conducted by combining different eco-friendly materials, modifying their heat exchange ratios, and measuring their thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity coefficient γ or K is a physical property of a material that measures how easily heat passes through it. It is calculated using Fourier's law, observing how much heat passes through a material as a function of its geometry and the temperature difference. Conduction is one of the ways heat is transferred from one area to another within a solid body (such as a wall), without movement of the material. Example: if you touch a heated metal spoon on one end, the other end will also heat up over time: this is heat propagating by conduction between 0.030 and 0.070 kcal/(h·m·K; Potato starch is a polysaccharide (a long chain of simple sugars) found in many vegetables, including potatoes. It is composed primarily of amylose and amylopectin, two components that give it gelatinizing and adhesive properties. Its properties emerge when starch is heated (for example, by grating a potato and heating it with water). Its molecules absorb water, swell, and form a viscous gel. This gel can hold solid particles together, acting as a glue or binder. This work has led to a practical use of starch as a binder. In sustainable construction, starch has been used to compact natural fibers or eco-friendly insulation materials (such as peanut shells). It has been proven that it can be used in the production of natural biocomposite insulation panels. It should be noted that in the green building sector, it’s already used to prepare natural glues and non-toxic adhesives, suitable for crafts or eco-friendly building materials. Among the advantages of using starch as a binder, natural and biodegradable, it is non-toxic, inexpensive, and easy to obtain, as the potato crop is widely cultivated, these thermal conductivity coefficients are like those of other materials commonly used as thermal insulation in the construction industry. Walnut or hazelnut shells could therefore be used, valorizing this natural waste, in the production of insulating panels for buildings.