Insulating Composites Made from Sulfur, Canola Oil, and Wool

Abstract

An insulating composite was made from the sustainable building blocks wool, sulfur, and canola oil. In the first stage of the synthesis, inverse vulcanization was used to make a polysulfide polymer from the canola oil triglyceride and sulfur. This polymerization benefits from complete atom economy. In the second stage, the powdered polymer is mixed with wool, coating the fibers through electrostatic attraction. The polymer and wool mixture is then compressed with mild heating to provoke S-S metathesis in the polymer, which locks the wool in the polymer matrix. The wool fibers impart tensile strength, insulating properties, and flame resistance to the composite. All building blocks are sustainable or derived from waste and the composite is a promising lead on next-generation insulation for energy conservation.