PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

New composite decking could reduce global warming effects of building materials

New composite decking could reduce global warming effects of building materials
2024-03-18
(Press-News.org) NEW ORLEANS, March 18, 2024 — Buildings and production of the materials used in their construction emit a lot of carbon dioxide (CO2), a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. But storing CO2 in building materials could help make them more environmentally friendly. Scientists report that they have designed a composite decking material that stores more CO2 than is required to manufacture it, providing a “carbon-negative” option that meets building codes and is less expensive than standard composite decking.

The researchers will present their results today at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS Spring 2024 is a hybrid meeting being held virtually and in person March 17-21; it features nearly 12,000 presentations on a range of science topics.

Apart from a few types of cement, carbon-negative composites are scarce, according to David Heldebrant, an organic chemist who is one of the project’s principal investigators. The composite decking his team has developed “is one of the first composite materials to be demonstrably CO2 negative over its life cycle,” he says.

The materials and processes that go into constructing buildings account for 11% of all energy-related carbon emissions, according to the World Green Building Council. Significant efforts have gone into developing building supplies that can offset these emissions, such as using recycled or plant-derived products. However, in many cases, these sustainable alternatives are more expensive than traditional materials or can’t match their properties, such as strength or durability.

One type of construction material — decking — is a multibillion-dollar industry. Decking boards made from a wood plastic composite are a popular alternative to lumber boards because they are less prone to damage from ultraviolet radiation and can last longer. Composite decking is typically made from a blend of wood chips or sawdust and plastic, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE). To make these composites more sustainable, one alternative is to use fillers that are waste products or would otherwise be burned.

That’s an approach Heldebrant’s colleague Keerti Kappagantula was taking: using low-quality brown coal and lignin, a wood-derived product left over from papermaking, as the filler in decking composites. To make the pulverized coal and lignin particles mix with and stick to plastics, the research team needed to add ester functional groups to the particles’ surfaces. Heldebrant, who works at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and develops specialized liquids to capture CO2, found out about this work while chatting over coffee with Kappagantula.

Satish Nune, another project investigator, and Heldebrant were excited when they heard about this. “Esters are essentially carboxylic acids, which are a captured form of CO2,” Heldebrant explains. So, the team wanted to do the same thing and put CO2 onto the surface of the particles in the composite to make the material even more environmentally friendly while improving the composites’ mechanical performance.

To test the feasibility of this approach, the team turned to a classic chemical reaction to form a new chemical bond between CO2 and a functional group called a phenol, which is abundant in wood products like coal and lignin. After undergoing the reaction, the lignin and coal particles contained 2–5% CO2 by weight.

The team then mixed varying ratios of these particles with HDPE to form brownish-black composites, and they tested the resulting properties. A composite containing 80% filler maximized the amount of CO2 content while demonstrating strength and durability that meet international building codes for decking materials. It was manufactured via friction extrusion using PNNL’s shear assisted processing and extrusion (ShAPETM) machine. The researchers used this material to form 10-foot-long composites that look and feel similar to any standard wood composites found in decking or lawn furniture.

In addition to their favorable physical properties, the new composite boards offer a substantial price and sustainability advantage. They are 18% cheaper than standard decking composite boards. They also store more CO2 than is released during their manufacture and lifetime, Heldebrant says. If the 3.55 billion feet of decking sold in the U.S. every year were replaced with the researchers’ CO2-negative composite decking, he says, 250,000 tons of CO2 could be sequestered annually, which is equivalent to the yearly emissions from 54,000 cars.

Next, the researchers plan to make additional composite formulations and test the properties. They envision that carbon-negative composites could be developed for a range of building materials, such as fencing and siding. In the meantime, the team is working to commercialize its decking boards. This new carbon-negative decking could be available at building supply retailers as soon as next summer.

The research was funded by the United States Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FWP 78606) and the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas).

Visit the ACS Spring 2024 program to learn more about this presentation, “Towards carbon-dioxide negative building composites,” and more scientific presentations. 

###

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS’ mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and all its people. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, eBooks and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world’s scientific knowledge. ACS’ main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org.

Note to journalists: Please report that this research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society. ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies.

Follow us: X, formerly Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Title
Towards carbon-dioxide negative building composites

Abstract
Carbon capture utilization and storage require new approaches to CO2 sequestration, namely ones that could safely, and profitably sequester hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO2 per year while finally being able to return the all-elusive profit. We present here, a new CCUS approach that produces CO2-negative composites, comprised of lignin or lignite fillers that have been functionalized with CO2, where they are mixed within a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix. CO2 fixation at the particle’s surface is achieved by base-mediated Kolbe-Schmitt reactions, resulting in a durable C-C bond on polyphenols in lignin and lignite. After acidification, the carboxylation stores approximately 2-5% CO2 by weight on the particles. Manufacturing of the composites was performed using conventional injection molding with 50 wt.% filler, and a new shear-assisted processing and extrusion process with 80 wt.% filler. In each approach, the produced composites have mechanical properties that meet international building codes for decking, which represents a multi-billion-dollar market that could sequester hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO2 per year. We present a full techno-economic and life cycle assessment of an envisioned process, detailing how composites produced with recycled HDPE and renewable energy provide favorable economics and a negative global warming potential over a twenty-year period. We conclude with a discussion of the remaining scientific and manufacturing efforts needed for commercialization and an assessment of other serviceable markets in which composites could be produced.

END


[Attachments] See images for this press release:
New composite decking could reduce global warming effects of building materials New composite decking could reduce global warming effects of building materials 2 New composite decking could reduce global warming effects of building materials 3

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Artificial mucus identifies link to tumor formation

Artificial mucus identifies link to tumor formation
2024-03-18
NEW ORLEANS, March 18, 2024 – During cold and flu season, excess mucus is a common, unpleasant symptom of illness, but the slippery substance is essential to human health. To better understand its many roles, researchers synthesized the major component of mucus, the sugar-coated proteins called mucins, and discovered that changing the mucins of healthy cells to resemble those of cancer cells made healthy cells act more cancer-like. The researcher will present her results today at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS Spring 2024 is a hybrid meeting being held virtually and in person March 17-21; it features nearly 12,000 ...

Study explores homeless women’s experiences of ‘period poverty’

2024-03-18
Research from the University of Southampton has identified common issues women face when experiencing periods while homeless. A review of research published in Women and Health has found homeless women experienced practical challenges in managing menstruation alongside feelings of embarrassment and shame, with many ‘making do’ due to inadequate provision. The researchers say it’s high time to address the provision of menstrual health resources as a basic human right. Dr Stephanie Barker, a teaching fellow at the University of ...

Keeping score: novel method might help differentiate 2 serious skin diseases

Keeping score: novel method might help differentiate 2 serious skin diseases
2024-03-18
Your skin becomes red and spots filled with pus appear, so you visit a dermatologist. When these symptoms spread to the skin throughout the body, it is difficult for the physician to distinguish whether it is generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) or acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), as both have similar symptoms. The two diseases run different courses and require different treatments. Without proper treatment, the symptoms can worsen severely and cause complications, so it is essential to distinguish between them. Researchers ...

Developing bifunctional catalyst performance enhancement technology that will dramatically lower the cost of hydrogen production

Developing bifunctional catalyst performance enhancement technology that will dramatically lower the cost of hydrogen production
2024-03-18
Dr. Hyung-Suk Oh and Dr. Woong-Hee Lee of the Clean Energy Research Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), in collaboration with POSTECH and Yonsei University, have developed a methodology to improve the reversibility and durability of electrodes using bifunctional platinum-nickel alloy catalysts with an octahedral structure that exhibits both oxygen reduction and generation reactions. Bifunctional catalysts are a new generation of catalysts that simultaneously produce hydrogen and oxygen from water using a single catalyst. Currently, electrochemical systems such as water electrolysis technology and CCU (carbon dioxide ...

Animal hair structure changes from summer to winter to fend off freezing weather

Animal hair structure changes from summer to winter to fend off freezing weather
2024-03-17
NEW ORLEANS, March 17, 2024 — Unique adaptations allow wild animals to survive temperature extremes that would quickly kill an unprotected human. For example, certain animals can withstand bitterly cold weather, thanks to the insulating properties of the hollow hairs that make up their coats. Little has been known about the hairs, but now, researchers have discovered that their inner structure changes with the seasons. The researchers will present their results today at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS Spring 2024 is a hybrid meeting being held virtually and in person March ...

The many flavors of edible ants

The many flavors of edible ants
2024-03-17
NEW ORLEANS, March 17, 2024 — Insects are typically unwelcome visitors to a picnic, but they could be a flavorful, nutritious and sustainable addition to the menu. Eating insects is common in some parts of the world, and some species are even considered delicacies. Ants are one example, sometimes roasted whole for a snack or ground and used to add flavor and texture to dishes. Researchers now report the unique aroma profiles of four species of edible ants, which taste markedly different from one another. The researchers will present their results today at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS Spring 2024 is a hybrid meeting being held ...

Better kombucha brewing through chemistry

Better kombucha brewing through chemistry
2024-03-17
NEW ORLEANS, March 17, 2024 — Kombucha is a fermented tea known for its health benefits and tangy kick. But brewers can find it challenging to keep kombucha’s alcohol levels low because the bacteria and yeast used in the fermentation process vary from batch to batch. Now, chemists from Shippensburg University are investigating ways to reliably minimize alcohol, tailor taste profiles and speed up the kombucha fermentation process to help home and commercial producers optimize their funky brews. The ...

Very low calorie diets are safe and acceptable for teenagers with moderate to severe obesity when used short-term and supported by a dietitian, Australian study finds

2024-03-16
*This is an early press release from the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2024) Venice 12-15 May. Please credit the Congress if using this material* Short-term very low calorie diets are safe for teenagers living with moderate to severe obesity when closely monitored by an experienced dietitian, new research to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2024), has found.  In addition, many of the adolescents who took part in the Australian study found a very low calorie diet to be an acceptable way to lose weight, despite experiencing side-effects. Very low energy diets (VLED) typically involve taking in ≤ 800 calories per day and include meal replacements ...

Mount Sinai experts to present new research at 71th Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation

2024-03-16
Reproductive health experts from the Women’s Biomedical Research Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai will present research at the 71th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI) in Vancouver, Canada from March 12-16. The doctors and researchers are available for interview about their findings; they can also provide commentary on other women’s health and female biology topics, breaking news, and studies.   PRESENTATIONS and POSTER SESSIONS (*All abstracts are under embargo until the below listed times*) Friday, March 15, 2024 9:00 -11:00 a.m. PT (12:00-2:00 ...

Less is more: Not placing a drain improves distal pancreatectomy outcomes

2024-03-16
Research led by Amsterdam UMC across ten Dutch hospitals and two Italian hospitals has found that not placing a drain during surgery improves outcomes in patients undergoing a left-sided pancreatic resection, also known as ‘distal pancreatectomy’. The study, today published in Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, set out to confirm the safety of drainless surgery, as compared to the current routine practice of leaving a surgical drain. Ultimately, the study not only confirmed the safety of ‘drainless ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Mussel bed surveyed before World War II still thriving

ACS Annual Report: Cancer mortality continues to drop despite rising incidence in women; rates of new diagnoses under 65 higher in women than men

Fewer skin ulcers in Werner syndrome patients treated with pioglitazone

Study finds surprising way that genetic mutation causes Huntington’s disease, transforming understanding of the disorder

DNA motors found to switch gears

Human ancestor thrived longer in harsher conditions than previous estimates

Evolution: Early humans adapted to extreme desert conditions over one million years ago

Race and ethnicity and diffusion of telemedicine in Medicaid for schizophrenia care after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

Changes in support for advance provision and over-the-counter access to medication abortion

Protein level predicts immunotherapy response in bowel cancer

The staying power of bifocal contact lens benefits in young kids

Dose-dependent relationship between alcohol consumption and the risks of hepatitis b virus-associated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis and systematic review

International Alliance for Primary Immunodeficiency Societies selects Rockefeller University Press to publish new Journal of Human Immunity

Leader in mission-driven open publishing wins APE Award for Innovation in Scholarly Communication

Innovative 6D pose dataset sets new standard for robotic grasping performance

Evaluation of plasma neurodegenerative biomarkers for diagnosing minimal hepatic encephalopathy and predicting overt hepatic encephalopathy in Chinese patients with hepatic cirrhosis

MEXICO: How animals, people, and rituals created Teotihuacán

The role of political partisanship and moral beliefs in leadership selection

Parental favoritism isn't a myth

Arctic hotspots study reveals areas of climate stress in Northern Alaska, Siberia

Mount Sinai study finds wearable devices can detect and predict inflammatory bowel disease flare-ups

Peripheral blood CD4+/CD8+ t cell ratio predicts HBsAg clearance in inactive HBsAg carriers treated with peginterferon alpha

MIT Press’s Direct to Open reaches annual funding goal for 2025, opens access to 80 new monographs

New NCCN patient resource shares latest understanding of genetic testing to guide patient decision making

Synchronization in neural nets: Mathematical insight into neuron readout drives significant improvements in prediction accuracy

TLE6 identified as a protein associated with infertility in male mice

Thin lenses have a bright future

Volcanic eruption caused Neolithic people to sacrifice unique "sun stones"

Drug in clinical trials for breast cancer could also treat some blood cancers

Study identifies mechanism underlying increased osteoarthritis risk in postmenopausal females

[Press-News.org] New composite decking could reduce global warming effects of building materials