CHAPTER 8: Biosilicate Binders

The (re)utilisation of silicon, silica and silicates is becoming highly important as there is a growing global need for renewable bioenergy, in the form of controlled biomass burning such as agricultural straws, wood pellets, grasses, etc. The anticipated growth in controlled biomass burning will generate significant quantities of ash often rich in silica and silicates. The valorisation of these waste materials is vital to ensure recovery and reuse of the inorganic species, in line with an elemental sustainability and biorefinery vision, and to add economic value in the form of biobased adhesives and coatings. This chapter discusses the market size and potential of silicas and silicates as binders and adhesives. A background to silica chemistry, its occurrence in biomass and its subsequent isolation from ashes is given. An in depth overview of silicon and silicates in adhesives is given, concluding with their potential role as replacements for traditional petroleum-based binders in particleboards.