Bio-Based Insulation Panel from Rice Husk Residues for Thermal Resilience in Sustainable Buildings

Abstract

 As buildings face growing exposure to climate-induced stressors such as heatwaves, energy demand spikes, and humidity fluctuations, rethinking insulation strategies become crucial to achieving thermal resilience and energy efficiency. Conventional insulation materials often rely on non-renewable resources and exhibit poor environmental performance, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable alternatives in building applications. This study aims to develop an eco-efficient thermal insulation material derived from agricultural residues to support climate-adaptive and low-carbon building practices. A bio-based thermal insulation panel composed of rice husk fiber was fabricated using polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) as a binder, with formulations containing 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% PVOH by weight. The prepared panels were evaluated for their mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and thermal conductivity. Experimental results indicate that the thermal insulation panel formulation containing 10% PVOH is optimal, exhibiting superior mechanical properties with a flexural strength of 9.822 MPa, a tensile strength of 4.369 MPa, and an internal bond strength of 0.038 MPa. Water absorption and thickness swelling were recorded at 92.13% and 33.61%, respectively, confirming good moisture stability. The best-performing sample achieved the lowest thermal conductivity of 0.245 W/m·K, indicating strong insulation potential. The findings highlight the viability of agricultural waste as a raw material for bio-insulation panels, offering both environmental and performance benefits. By reducing dependency on synthetic materials and enhancing indoor thermal comfort, this bio-based thermal insulation panel contributes to the design of resilient, low-carbon buildings capable of adapting to future climate conditions.