Nadiatus Silmi, Putry Arby Dalimunthe, I. Putu Mahendra, Swasmi Purwajanti, Purwoko, Roni Permana Saputra, Veinardi Suendo, Hidayat, Athanasia Amanda Septevani
The demand for sustainable materials in building construction is rising due to the increasing global energy consumption and the need for energy-efficient buildings. Rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) is widely used as an insulating material, but its thermal performance can be further enhanced through sustainable modifications. This study explores the incorporation of silica nanofillers extracted from agricultural waste as a strategy to improve the thermal insulation and mechanical properties of RPUF. Silica was extracted from rice husk, bamboo leaf, and corn cob. Silica derived from rice husk was further incorporated into RPUF formulations as the most promising reinforcing silica source. The thermal conductivity test revealed that RPUF containing 0.25 wt% silica (FSR0.25) exhibited the lowest thermal conductivity (0.023 W/m⋅K), representing a 9.45 % improvement over neat RPUF (FSR0) attributed to the nucleation effect of silica incorporation. Mechanical testing showed that the reinforcement of silica also increased the compressive strength of FSR0.25, achieving 0.26 MPa in both parallel and perpendicular directions relative to the foam rise. Scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis further confirmed the enhanced thermal performance of FSR0.25. These findings demonstrate that reinforcing RPUF with silica, specifically from rice husk, optimally enhances both its thermal insulation and mechanical properties, offering a sustainable approach while addressing energy efficiency and environmental concerns. © 2025
Research Center for Environmental and Clean Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency, South Tangerang, 15314, Indonesia; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung, 35365, Indonesia; Research Center for Electronics, National Research and Innovation Agency, Bandung, 40135, Indonesia; Directorate of Laboratory Management, Research Facilities, Science and Technology Park, National Research and Innovation Agency, Yogyakarta, 55861, Indonesia; Research Center for Smart Mechatronics, National Research and Innovation Agency, Bandung, 40135, Indonesia; Division of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia; Research Center for Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia; Research Collaboration Center for Electrochemistry, BRIN-UNDIP, Indonesia
Research at a Glance
Register to unlock
Topics & SDG Alignment
Register to unlock
Collaboration
Register to unlock
Author Profile (Selected)
Register to unlock
References Overview
Register to unlock
Journal & Source
Register to unlock
Metadata & Integrity
Register to unlock