DC10: Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zuerich (CH)

Project title

High-strength cellulose composites with enhanced flame retardancy and water repellency

(Co)tutors

• Tutor: I. Burgert (ETHZ)
• Co-Tutor: T. Stern (UG)
• Industrial Supervisor: M. Frey (NSPS)

Objectives

• Develop cellulose scaffolds for further processing by delignifying poplar and spruce/pine wood;
• Synthesize composites by impregnating the scaffolds with available modified lignins and lignin-derived epoxy phenolic resin, and polyurethanes and colloid lignins
• Characterize and analyse the materials with SoA methodology

Required education level

Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Wood Science

Preferred background

Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Wood Science, Fibre composites

Secondments

• UMLP (3 months) align research activities on cellulose scaffolds and plant fibres in terms of resin impregnation, hydrophobization and flame retardancy (V. Placet)

• BComp (7 months) industrial application of the developed concepts and materials (M. Frey)