A comparative study on acoustical properties using waste recycled porous materials for environmental sustainability
Abstract As noise pollution intensifies in urban areas, the need for sustainable and effective sound-reducing porous materials becomes increasingly critical. This research addresses that need by developing gypsum-based composites enhanced with vermiculite and recycled rigid polyurethane (RPU) powder...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10065-3 |
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| author | Vinoth Kumar Selvaraj Jeyanthi Subramanian Sri Sai Dutt K. Annamalai Elango Natarajan S. Kumaresan |
| author_facet | Vinoth Kumar Selvaraj Jeyanthi Subramanian Sri Sai Dutt K. Annamalai Elango Natarajan S. Kumaresan |
| author_sort | Vinoth Kumar Selvaraj |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract As noise pollution intensifies in urban areas, the need for sustainable and effective sound-reducing porous materials becomes increasingly critical. This research addresses that need by developing gypsum-based composites enhanced with vermiculite and recycled rigid polyurethane (RPU) powder, using a blend-press-sinter methodology. Gypsum-based composites were chosen for their cost-effectiveness, recyclability, structural stability, and sound-absorbing properties, all with minimal environmental impact. This approach supports the circular economy by repurposing waste materials. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to analyze the size, structure, uniformity, and presence of organic and inorganic compounds. Using response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization, the ideal formulation for the noise reduction coefficient (NRC) was identified, with an optimal mix of 5.3 wt% vermiculite and 6.5 wt% RPU, achieving an NRC value of 0.3628. Acoustic simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics, guided by the Johnson-Allard model, demonstrated that the optimized composite effectively reduced sound pressure levels by 17 to 58 dB across the 200 to 2000 Hz frequency range. These findings underscore the composite’s potential for room acoustics applications. By incorporating recycled and natural materials, this approach not only enhances acoustic performance but also promotes sustainable material practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cbed31448f744ea0b34feaffdcef3e64 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-cbed31448f744ea0b34feaffdcef3e642025-08-20T03:43:02ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111910.1038/s41598-025-10065-3A comparative study on acoustical properties using waste recycled porous materials for environmental sustainabilityVinoth Kumar Selvaraj0Jeyanthi Subramanian1Sri Sai Dutt2K. Annamalai3Elango Natarajan4S. Kumaresan5School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of TechnologySchool of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of TechnologyMechatronics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of LimerickSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of TechnologyFaculty of Engineering, Technology and Built Environment, UCSI UniversitySchool of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of TechnologyAbstract As noise pollution intensifies in urban areas, the need for sustainable and effective sound-reducing porous materials becomes increasingly critical. This research addresses that need by developing gypsum-based composites enhanced with vermiculite and recycled rigid polyurethane (RPU) powder, using a blend-press-sinter methodology. Gypsum-based composites were chosen for their cost-effectiveness, recyclability, structural stability, and sound-absorbing properties, all with minimal environmental impact. This approach supports the circular economy by repurposing waste materials. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to analyze the size, structure, uniformity, and presence of organic and inorganic compounds. Using response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization, the ideal formulation for the noise reduction coefficient (NRC) was identified, with an optimal mix of 5.3 wt% vermiculite and 6.5 wt% RPU, achieving an NRC value of 0.3628. Acoustic simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics, guided by the Johnson-Allard model, demonstrated that the optimized composite effectively reduced sound pressure levels by 17 to 58 dB across the 200 to 2000 Hz frequency range. These findings underscore the composite’s potential for room acoustics applications. By incorporating recycled and natural materials, this approach not only enhances acoustic performance but also promotes sustainable material practices.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10065-3SustainabilityWaste recyclingBiocompositesAcousticRSMCOMSOL multiphysics |
| spellingShingle | Vinoth Kumar Selvaraj Jeyanthi Subramanian Sri Sai Dutt K. Annamalai Elango Natarajan S. Kumaresan A comparative study on acoustical properties using waste recycled porous materials for environmental sustainability Scientific Reports Sustainability Waste recycling Biocomposites Acoustic RSM COMSOL multiphysics |
| title | A comparative study on acoustical properties using waste recycled porous materials for environmental sustainability |
| title_full | A comparative study on acoustical properties using waste recycled porous materials for environmental sustainability |
| title_fullStr | A comparative study on acoustical properties using waste recycled porous materials for environmental sustainability |
| title_full_unstemmed | A comparative study on acoustical properties using waste recycled porous materials for environmental sustainability |
| title_short | A comparative study on acoustical properties using waste recycled porous materials for environmental sustainability |
| title_sort | comparative study on acoustical properties using waste recycled porous materials for environmental sustainability |
| topic | Sustainability Waste recycling Biocomposites Acoustic RSM COMSOL multiphysics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10065-3 |
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