Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Natural Cornstalk Pith as an Effective Energy Absorbing Cellular Material

  • Published:
Journal of Bionic Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The replacement of synthetic foam materials using natural biological ones is of great significance for saving energy/resources and reducing environmental pollutions. Here we characterized the microstructure and mechanical properties of natural cornstalk pith, which has a large annual output yet lacks an effective exploitation, and evaluated its feasibility for applications as a substitute for synthetic foam materials. The cornstalk pith was revealed to be a cellular material composed of closed cells elongated along the growth direction of corn plant and reinforced by well-aligned vascular bundles penetrating the foam matrix. The compressive behavior is featured by a stable stress plateau which is favorable for energy absorption with its mechanical properties largely dependent on the hydration state and loading configuration. In particular, the initial dimension and mechanical properties of cornstalk pith can be effectively recovered after deformation simply by hydration treatment owing to swelling effect caused by the turgor pressure from osmosis. The cornstalk pith demonstrates an outstanding combination of low density and high energy absorption efficiency among various foam materials, specifically with its plateau stress and energy absorption comparable or even superior to those of some typical synthetic foam materials. These along with the huge resources and good biodegradability make it a promising natural energy absorbing cellular material for replacing synthetic counterparts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gibson L J, Ashby M F. Celluar Solids: Structure and Properties. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 1999, 1, 2–99.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ashby M F, Mehl Medalist R F. The mechanical properties of cellular solids. Metallurgical Transactions A, 1983, 14, 1755–1769.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Gautam R, Bassi A S, Yanful E K. A review of biodegradation of synthetic plastic and foams. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 2007, 141, 85–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Free C M, Jensen O P, Mason S A, Eriksen M, Williamson N J, Boldgiv B. High-levels of microplastic pollution in a large, remote, mountain lake. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2014, 85, 156–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Agrawal A, Kaur R, Walia R S. PU foam derived from renewable sources: Perspective on properties enhancement: An overview. European Polymer Journal, 2017, 95, 255–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Webb H K, Arnott J, Crawford R J, Ivanova E P. Plastic degradation and its environmental implications with special reference to poly (ethylene terephthalate). Polymers, 2012, 5, 5010001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Yang W Q, Dong Q Y, Liu S L, Xie H H, Liu L L, Li J H. Recycling and disposal methods for polyurethane foam wastes. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 2012, 16, 167–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Al-Salem S M, Lettieri P, Baeyens J. Recycling and recovery routes of plastic solid waste (PSW): A review. Waste Management, 2009, 29, 2625–2643.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Fratzl P, Weinkamer R. Nature’s hierarchical materials. Progress in Materials Science, 2007, 52, 1263–1334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Gibson L J, Ashby M F, Harley B A. Cellular Materials in Nature and Medicine. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2010, 1, 8–12.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Sullivan T N, Pissarenko A, Herrere S A, Kisailus D, Lubarda V A, Meyers M A. A lightweight, biological structure with tailored stiffness: The feather vane. Acta Biomaterialia, 2016, 41, 27–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Wang Z, Tan Y T, Yang Y L, Zhao X N, Liu Y, Niu L Y, Tichnell B, Kong L B, Kang L, Liu Z, Ran F. Pomelo peels-derived porous activated carbon microsheets dual-doped with nitrogen and phosphorus for high performance electrochemical capacitors. Journal of Power Sources, 2017, 378, 499–510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Li H Z, Li X D. The art of curved reinforcing in biological armors — seashells. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2019, 16, 711–718.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Chen P Y, McKittrick J, Meyers M A. Biological materials: Functional adaptations and bioinspired designs. Progress in Materials Science, 2012, 57, 1492–1704.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Meyers M A, McKittrick J, Chen P Y. Structural biological materials: Critical mechanics-materials connections. Science, 2013, 339, 773–779.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Liu Z Q, Zhang Z F, Ritchie R O. Structural orientation and anisotropy in biological materials: Functional designs and mechanics. Advance Functional Materials, 2020, 30, 1908121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Wegst U G K, Bai H, Saiz E, Tomsia A P, Ritchie R O. Bioinspired structural materials. Nature Materials, 2015, 14, 23–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Zhang Y C, Huang W, Hayashi C, Gatesy J, McKittrick J. Microstructure and mechanical properties of different keratinous horns. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 2018, 15, 20180093.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Huang W, Zahera A, Jung J Y, Espinosa H D, Mckittrick J. Hierarchical structure and compressive deformation mechanisms of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) horn. Acta Biomaterialia, 2017, 64, 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Weinkamer R, Fratzl P. Mechanical adaptation of biological materials: The examples of bone and wood. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 2011, 31, 1164–1173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Emadian S M, Onay T T, Demirel B. Biodegradation of bioplastics in natural environments. Waste Management, 2017, 59, 526–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Ma C, Zhang S, Dong R D, Wang M, Jia W D, Lu Z G. Corn stalk fiber-based biomass brick reinforced by compact organic inorganic calcification composites. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2018, 6, 2086–2093.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Jiang D P, Ge X M, Lin L, Zhang T, Liu H, Hu J J, Zhang Q G. Continuous photo-fermentative hydrogen production in a tubular photobioreactor using corn stalk pith hydrolysate with a consortium. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2020, 45, 3776–3784.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Liu Y C, Xie J, Wu N, Ma Y H, Menon C, Tong J. Characterization of natural cellulose fiber from corn stalk waste subject to different surface treatments. Cellulose, 2019, 26, 4707–4719.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Chen J X, Elbashiry E M A, Yu T, Ren Y Z, Guo Z S, Liu S Y. Research progress of wheat straw and rice straw cement-based building materials in China. Magazine of Concrete Research, 2018, 70, 84–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Yu Y, Ren Y Z, Guo Z S, Chen X, Chen J X, Elbashiry E M A. Progress of research into cotton straw and corn straw cement-based building materials in China. Advances in Cement Research, 2018, 30, 93–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Chen J X, Zhang X M, Okabe Y, Saito K, Guo Z S, Pan L C. The deformation mode and strengthening mechanism of compression in the beetle elytron plate. Materials and Design, 2017, 131, 481–486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Chen J X, Zhang X M, Okabe Y, Xie J, Xu M Y. Beetle elytron plate and the synergistic mechanism of a trabecular honeycomb core structure. Science China Technological Sciences, 2019, 62, 87–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Chen J X, Hao N, Pan L C, Hu L P, Du S C, Fu Y Q. Characteristics of compressive mechanical properties and strengthening mechanism of grid beetle elytron plates. Journal of Materials Science, 2020, 55, 8541–8552.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Sadighi Mojtaba, Salami S J. An investigation on low-velocity impact response of elastomeric & crushable foams. Central European Journal of Engineering, 2012, 2, 627–637.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Yonezu A, Hirayama K, Kishida H, Chen X. Characterization of the compressive deformation behavior with strain rate effect of low-density polymeric foams. Polymer Testing, 2016, 50, 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Li Y, Ren H F, Ragauskas A J. Rigid polyurethane foam reinforced with cellulose whiskers: Synthesis and characterization. Nano Micro Letters, 2010, 2, 89–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Wang B Q, Peng Z L, Zhang Y, Zhang Y X. Compressive response and energy absorption of foam EPDM. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2007, 105, 3462–3469.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Tondi G, Pizzi A, Du G, Fierro V, Celzard A. Tannin-based rigid foams: A survey of chemical and physical properties. Bioresource Technology, 2009, 100, 5162–5169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Ozturk U E, Anlas G. Energy absorption calculations in multiple compressive loading of polymeric foams. Materials & Design, 2009, 30, 15–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Maiti S K, Gibson L J, Ashby M F. Deformation and energy absorption diagram for cellular solids. Acta Metallurgica, 1984, 32, 1963–1975.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Liu Z Q, Jiao D, Meyers M A, Zhang Z F. Structure and mechanical properties of naturally occurring lightweight foam-filled cylinder — the peacock’s tail coverts shaft and its components. Acta Biomaterialia, 2015, 15, 137–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Zhang X X, Li J H, Yu Z X, Yu Y, Wang H K. Compressive failure mechanism and buckling analysis of the graded hierarchical bamboo structure. Journal of Materials Science, 2017, 52, 6999–7007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Huang W, Restrepo D, Zavattieri P, Jung J Y, Su F Y, Liu Z Q, Ritchie R O, McKittrick J, Kisailun D. Mustiscale toughening mechanisms in biological materials and bioinspried designs. Advanced Materials, 2019, 31, 1901561.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Sullivan T N, Zhang Y L, Zavattieri P D, Meyers M A. Hydration-induced shape and strength recovery of the feather. Advanced Functional Materials, 2018, 28, 1801250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Quan H C, Kisailus D, Meyers M A. Hydration-induced reversible deformation of biological materials. Nature Reviews Matetials, 2021, 6, 264–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Liu Z Q, Jiao D, Zhang Z F. Remarkable shape memory effect of a natural biopolymer in aqueous environment. Biomaterials, 2015, 65, 13–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Beverte I. Deformation of polypropylene foam Neopolen® P in compression. Journal of Cellular Plastics, 2004, 40, 191–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Zhang G Q, Wang B, Ma L, Wu L Z, Pan S D, Yang J S. Energy absorption and low velocity impact response of polyurethane foam filled pyramidal lattice core sandwich panels. Composite Structures, 2014, 108, 304–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Ouellet S, Cronin D, Worswick M. Compressive response of polymeric foams under quasi-static, medium and high strain rate conditions. Polymer Testing, 2006, 25, 731–743.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Luong D D, Pinisetty D, Gupta N. Compressive properties of closed-cell polyvinyl chloride foams at low and high strain rates: Experimental investigation and critical review of state of the art. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2013, 44, 403–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Gibson L J. The mechanical behaviour of cancellous bone. Journal of Biomechanics, 1985, 18, 317–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Chen Y X, Zhang K T, Yuan F C, Zhang T T, Weng B B, Wu S S, Huang A Y, Su N, Guo Y. Properties of two-variety natural luffa sponge columns as potential mattress filling materials. Materials, 2018, 11, 541.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Trim M W, Horstemeyer M F, Rhee H, Kadiri H E, Williams L N, Liao J, Walters K B, McKittrick J, Park S J. The effects of water and microstructure on the mechanical properties of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) horn keratin. Acta Biomaterialia, 2011, 7, 1228–1240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Zhang Y C, Huang W, Hayashi C, Gatesy J, McKittrick J. Microstructure and mechanical properties of different keratinous horns. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 2018, 15, 20180093.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Avalle M, Belingardi G, Montanini R. Characterization of polymeric structural foams under compressive impact loading by means of energy-absorption diagram. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 2001, 25, 455–472.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Liu Z Q, Weng Z Y, Zhai Z, Huang N, Zhang Z J, Tan J, Jiang C B, Jiao D, Tan G Q, Zhang J, Jiang X, Zhang Z F, Ritchie R O. Hydration-induced nano- to micro-scale self-recovery of the tooth enamel of the giant panda. Acta Biomaterialia, 2018, 81, 267–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Liu Z Q, Jiao D, Weng Z Y, Zhang Z F. Structure and mechanical behaviors of protective armored pangolin scales and effects of hydration and orientation. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 2016, 56, 165–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Zhu D J, Zhang C H, Liu P, Jawad A L. Comparison of the morphology, structures and mechanical properties of teleost fish scales collected from New Zealand. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2019, 16, 328–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful for the financial support by National Key R&D Program of China under Grant Number 2020YFA0710404, the National Natural Science Foundation of China under grant number 51871216, the LiaoNing Revitalization Talents Program, the State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials at Donghua University, the Opening Project of Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of High-End Structural Materials under grant number hsm1801, the Lu Jiaxi International Team Program supported by the K.C. Wong Education Foundation and CAS, and the Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory for Electromagnetic Processing of Materials, Ministry of Education, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China

    Lilong Zhang & Hui Zhang

  2. Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China

    Lilong Zhang, Zengqian Liu, Da Jiao, Jian Zhang, Shaogang Wang & Zhefeng Zhang

  3. School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China

    Zengqian Liu & Zhefeng Zhang

Authors
  1. Lilong Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zengqian Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Da Jiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jian Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shaogang Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hui Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Zhefeng Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Zengqian Liu or Zhefeng Zhang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, L., Liu, Z., Jiao, D. et al. Natural Cornstalk Pith as an Effective Energy Absorbing Cellular Material. J Bionic Eng 18, 600–610 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-021-0045-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-021-0045-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation