Solid foams from wood components

Novel sustainable means to replace partly or totally synthetic polymers in light, solid foamy material applications are currently search for. To elucidate the potential of wood derived components as raw material in structural foams, the effect of wood fibres, nanocellulose and nanoparticle lignin on solid polymer foams was studied. The structure and properties of foams prepared partly or totally of wood derived fibres and nanoparticles was determined by microscopy and mechanical testing. In synthetic polymer foams, nanocellulose and nano-scale lignin origin from wood could be used as additives for improving the foam formation and the final properties such as pore size distribution, porosity and/or strength properties of the solid foam. Biofoams based solely on wood derived components were also demonstrated. Bleached kraft pulp fibres as such or after chemical modification in combination with nanofibrillated cellulose showed potential as a solid foam material. The presence of lignin changed radically the foam properties indicating that it also may offer useful functionality in biofoam applications.