Porosity, Thermal Behavior, and Architectural Potential of Polyporaceae Mycelium-Based Insulation Panels
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Abstract
This research investigates the thermal properties and microstructural of mycelium fiber sheets from the Polyporaceae family collected in northern Thailand, aiming to evaluate their potential as sustainable architectural insulation materials. Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques were employed.
STA results revealed three stages of weight loss: 30–150 °C due to moisture evaporation, 200–320 °C from the decomposition of cellulose and hemicellulose, and above 350 °C from lignin degradation accompanied by char layer formation, which contributes to fire retardancy. The DTG curve indicated critical decomposition peaks at 280–310 °C, while DTA showed endothermic and exothermic events corresponding to thermal transitions. BET and BJH analyses confirmed that the mycelium sheets are mesoporous materials, with an average pore radius of 8.8 nm, and a prominent pore distribution peak at 1.5–2.1 nm, a specific surface area of 3.97 m²/g, and a total pore volume of 0.0175 cc/g. The type-IV isotherm indicated clear adsorption and desorption behavior. These finding suggest that mycelium panels possess favorable characteristics for ventilation, moisture regulation, and thermal insulation, making them suitable for energy-efficient building applications.
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