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Iron-fortified lumber could be a greener alternative to steel beams
Although lumber does show promise as a renewable alternative to structural materials such as steel and concrete, it still tends to be a bit weaker than those substances. Scientists have now set about addressing that shortcoming, by strengthening wood with added iron.
The scientists proceeded to mix ferric nitrate with potassium hydroxide, creating a hard iron oxide mineral called nanocrystalline ferrihydrite, which occurs naturally in soil and water. "The impact of this work reaches far beyond the field of engineering – it contributes to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, cut down on waste, and embrace sustainable, nature-inspired solutions for everything from buildings to large-scale infrastructure." A paper on the research – which also involved scientists from the University of Miami and Oak Ridge National Laboratory – was recently published in the journal ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces.
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