Boron-doped lignin-based composites transforming textile waste into high-performance sustainable insulation materials Bor-dotierte Verbundwerkstoffe auf Ligninbasis zur Verwandlung von Textilabfällen in nachhaltige Hochleistungsdämmstoffe

This study presents the development of boron-doped lignin-based composites reinforced with textile waste as a sustainable alternative to conventional insulation materials. By utilizing lignin, a byproduct of the paper industry, and textile waste from cotton and polyester blends, composites with varying boron concentrations (0 %, 5 %, and 10 %) were fabricated, evaluated for their thermal, acoustic, and fire-resistant properties. Among the samples, alb10 (10 % boron addition to pink cotton/polyester waste) exhibited exceptional performance, achieving a burning speed of 20 mm·s⁻¹, a significant reduction compared to 160 mm·s⁻¹ in the non-doped alb0 and a thermal conductivity of 0.04 W·mK⁻¹, comparable to commercial insulation materials. Compared to the reference material yltm (commercial felt), alb10 demonstrated superior fire resistance, enhanced thermal regulation, and improved acoustic insulation, underscoring boron's critical role as a flame-retardant additive. This work highlights the potential of boron-doped lignin-textile composites to address energy efficiency, fire safety, and waste management challenges, aligning with circular economy principles and offering a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution for future insulation applications.