Luffa sponge as a sustainable reinforcement for impact-resistant cementitious composites

Lin, Y; Yang, C; Pei, Z; Xu, H; Zhang, Y; Ma, J; Ukrainczyk, N; Zhang, Y; Koenders, E; Xie, W; Weidenkaff, A; Zong, Z; Cai, J

Luffa sponge as a sustainable reinforcement for impact-resistant cementitious composites

Lin, Y Yang, C Pei, Z Xu, H Zhang, Y

Ma, J Ukrainczyk, N Zhang, Y

Koenders, E Xie, W Weidenkaff, A Zong, Z Cai, J

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Publisher:: Springer Nature
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Communications Materials, 2025, 6, (1), pp. 253
Issue Date:: 2025-12-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Lin, Y
dc.contributor.author	Yang, C
dc.contributor.author	Pei, Z
dc.contributor.author	Xu, H
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, Y https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1912-8277
dc.contributor.author	Ma, J
dc.contributor.author	Ukrainczyk, N
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, Y https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1912-8277
dc.contributor.author	Koenders, E
dc.contributor.author	Xie, W
dc.contributor.author	Weidenkaff, A
dc.contributor.author	Zong, Z
dc.contributor.author	Cai, J
dc.date.accessioned	2025-12-18T02:57:52Z
dc.date.available	2025-12-18T02:57:52Z
dc.date.issued	2025-12-01
dc.identifier.citation	Communications Materials, 2025, 6, (1), pp. 253
dc.identifier.issn	2662-4443
dc.identifier.issn	2662-4443
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/190981
dc.description.abstract	Luffa sponge features a naturally optimized three-dimensional fibrous network, forming a lightweight and highly deformable bio-structure with high energy absorption capacity. Here we show that it can serve as a sustainable reinforcement to improve the impact resistance of cementitious composites. When embedded in cement paste, the luffa sponge forms a synergistic interface that enhances structural integrity and allows the composite to endure repeated impacts with minimal fragmentation. The composite maintains stable performance across a wide temperature range from –196 °C to 200 °C, showing low thermal sensitivity. Microscopic imaging and simulations reveal a gradual interfacial transition zone where hydrogen bonding leads to strength variation across the interface. This transition improves load transfer and contributes to overall durability. These findings highlight the potential of using bio-derived, architectured materials like luffa sponge to develop resilient and sustainable cement-based composites for structural applications.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Springer Nature
dc.relation.ispartof	Communications Materials
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1038/s43246-025-00985-y
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	3403 Macromolecular and materials chemistry
dc.subject.classification	4016 Materials engineering
dc.title	Luffa sponge as a sustainable reinforcement for impact-resistant cementitious composites
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	6
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM)
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-12-18T02:57:50Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	6
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

Luffa sponge features a naturally optimized three-dimensional fibrous network, forming a lightweight and highly deformable bio-structure with high energy absorption capacity. Here we show that it can serve as a sustainable reinforcement to improve the impact resistance of cementitious composites. When embedded in cement paste, the luffa sponge forms a synergistic interface that enhances structural integrity and allows the composite to endure repeated impacts with minimal fragmentation. The composite maintains stable performance across a wide temperature range from –196 °C to 200 °C, showing low thermal sensitivity. Microscopic imaging and simulations reveal a gradual interfacial transition zone where hydrogen bonding leads to strength variation across the interface. This transition improves load transfer and contributes to overall durability. These findings highlight the potential of using bio-derived, architectured materials like luffa sponge to develop resilient and sustainable cement-based composites for structural applications.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/190981