Mar 18, 2020 | |
Upcycling scrap rubber tyres to aerogels |
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(Nanowerk News) A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has achieved a major technological breakthrough by converting waste rubber tyres into super-light aerogels that have a wide range of applications. This is the first time that aerogels are made from waste rubber tyres. The new rubber aerogels demonstrate remarkable properties – they are extremely light, highly absorbent, very durable, and they are also very efficient at trapping heat and sound. | |
By upcycling waste rubber into products of a higher commercial value, this new technology promotes a wider use of scrap tyres, and offers an eco-friendly way to recycle used rubber. A patent has been filed for this novel technology. | |
Scrap tyres – A significant waste problem |
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Every year, about 1 billion scrap tyres are generated worldwide. Rubber tyres are highly durable and non-biodegradable. Only 40% are recycled into low-value-added products, while 49 per cent are incinerated to generate energy, and at least 11 per cent end up in landfills. | |
Although landfills are commonly practised, landfills sites are running out and there is also a risk of the consequential leachate causing environmental pollution. Furthermore, burning rubber produces toxic substances that pose health and safety concerns. | |
“Although 40 per cent of waste rubber tyres are recycled, the rate of recycling worldwide remains low because processing used rubber is costly and energy-intensive, coupled with a lack of monetary incentive. Our team has decided to focus on creating rubber aerogels from used rubber tyres because they are a cheap and abundant source of raw materials. By converting waste rubber tyres into high-value aerogels, we could enhance the monetary incentive for recycling rubber and in turn, cut down rubber waste,” explained Associate Professor Duong Hai-Minh, who leads the research team from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NUS Faculty of Engineering. | |
Mr Edmund Cheng, Mapletree Chairman, said, “Mapletree has always placed great emphasis on integrating sustainable designs into our developments. This project which aims to turn rubber waste into aerogel materials via green technology is aligned to our commitment to reduce negative environmental impact. We are excited that part of the support will also fund the refurbished lab facility for applied research and education on the potential of recycling technology. It is our hope that through education, one of our key corporate social responsibility pillars, there will be more awareness on environmental issues.” | |
Simple, cost-effective and eco-friendly production process |
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To create the rubber aerogels, recycled car tyre fibres are first blended into finer fibres. These fine rubber fibres are then soaked in water and very small amount of chemical cross-linkers. Next, the mixture of rubber fibres and eco-friendly solvents is dispersed uniformly using a stirrer for 20 minutes. The uniform suspension gel is then freeze-dried at minus 50 degrees Celsius for up to 12 hours to produce rubber aerogels. | |
Assoc Prof Duong said, “The fabrication process is simple, cost-effective and eco-friendly. The entire production process takes between 12 to 13 hours to complete and it only cost less than US$7 to produce a sheet of rubber aerogel that is 1 sqm in size and 1cm thick. The process can also be easily scaled up for mass production. This makes rubber aerogels a commercially attractive product.” | |
Highly versatile rubber aerogels |
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The novel rubber aerogels created by the NUS team possess remarkable properties for many applications: | |
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Source: National University of Singapore | |
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