Abstract

FERRER GARCIA, Maylen et al. Solid foam production of cellulose and cassava starch. Saber [online]. 2013, vol.25, n.4, pp.439-444. ISSN 1315-0162.

Waste solids reutilization is an alternative to save energy, water and raw materials necessary for an eco-economy of sustainable development. In that sense, solid foams were produced using cellulose from recycled Bond paper and cassava starch gel as liquid phase, stabilizing the system with surfactants (hydroxyethylcellulose as thickener and sodium lauril sulfate as foaming). The foam was prepared through the modified Rosse-Miller method, by aeration and strong stirring at 10,000 rpm for 5 min, and drying it in a tray oven. The optimum formulation was 15 g of cellulose, 15 g of cassava starch and a concentration of 0.3 mol/L of foaming; with the following structural, physical and mechanical features: solid matrix with cross linked microstructure between cellulose fibers and starch flakes; outer surface without dusting at contact and odorless; average density and porosity 173.49 kg/m3 and 73.22%, respectively; 512% of swelling; thermal stability up to 120 °C and thermal insulation with 50 ºC of differential temperature. With respect to cushioning parameters, compression strength was 3.99 kg/cm², with a slight deformation (20% from original height). These properties make the foams obtained from national cassava starch and recycled paper, competitive compared to imported commercially available foams, and make possible their use as excellent absorbent insulating material for various applications in construction, packaging and filling.

Keywords : Recycled paper; surfactant; thermal insulation.

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