Recycling Paper Waste into Structural Cellulose Composites: Mechanical and Thermal Insights

Deforestation is a serious issue across the world because wood continues to be a major resource for a variety of eco-friendly products such as paper, furniture, and timber. However, most types of disposable paper products, such as newspapers, are not recycled to form new wood-based material. The proposed research endeavors to create a eco-friendly material from cellulose waste, particularly from discarded paper, for creating composite boards for low carbon construction. The aim of the proposed research is to optimize and enhance its mechanical and thermal performance to be preferably utilized in eco-friendly building materials. The need to combat deforestation is increasing at a very high pace. Cellulose waste such as newspapers is widely available; however, its usage is meager and has limited application. The proposed research acts as a remedy to utilize these wastes in creating a feasible and economical substitute for building construction materials to decrease the carbon footprint associated with timber-based construction materials. Various composite boards with varying percentages of cellulose have been prepared using polyurethane agents to bind them together. Laboratory experiments of axial tension and compression tests and Charpy impact tests have been performed to optimize its mechanical properties. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis have been performed to optimize its thermal and viscoelastic performance. The results of this research reveal better mechanical properties of cellulose-based composites with improved MOE and better dynamic crack resistance. The TGA analysis shows promising results regarding its thermogravimetric performance. Additionally, DMA analysis shows a very favorable trend regarding its elastic properties. The proposed composite boards contain low embodied carbon and therefore act as a feasible and economical eco-friendly alternative to construction materials.