Multifunctional Bamboo Fiber/Epoxy Composites Featuring Integrated Superhydrophobicity and Enhanced Mechanical–Thermal Performance

Liu, Yanchao; Yu, Ze; Li, Rumin; Wang, Xiaodong; Qiao, Yingjie

doi:10.3390/nano16010008

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Open AccessArticle

Multifunctional Bamboo Fiber/Epoxy Composites Featuring Integrated Superhydrophobicity and Enhanced Mechanical–Thermal Performance

by

Yanchao Liu

^†,

Ze Yu

^†,

Rumin Li

^*,

Xiaodong Wang

^*

and

Yingjie Qiao

^*

College of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

^†

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16010008

Submission received: 1 December 2025 / Revised: 15 December 2025 / Accepted: 17 December 2025 / Published: 19 December 2025

(This article belongs to the Section Nanocomposite Materials)

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Abstract

Developing sustainable, high-performance biomass composites is crucial for replacing non-renewable structural materials. In this study, a “bamboo steel” composite was fabricated using a multilevel modification strategy involving alkali pretreatment, toughened resin impregnation, and surface functionalization. Bamboo fibers were treated to remove hemicellulose and lignin, enhancing porosity and interfacial bonding. The bamboo scaffold was subsequently impregnated with a thermo-plastic polyurethane-modified epoxy resin to create a robust, interpenetrating network. The optimized composite (treated at 80 °C) exhibited a flexural strength of 443.97 MPa and a tensile strength of 324.14 MPa, demonstrating exceptional stiffness and toughness. Furthermore, a superhydrophobic coating incorporating silica nanoparticles was applied, achieving a water contact angle exceeding 150° and excellent self-cleaning properties. This work presents a scalable strategy for producing bio-based structural materials that balance mechanical strength with environmental durability.

Keywords: bamboo; epoxy resin; alkali treatment; hydrophobic coating

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MDPI and ACS Style

Liu, Y.; Yu, Z.; Li, R.; Wang, X.; Qiao, Y. Multifunctional Bamboo Fiber/Epoxy Composites Featuring Integrated Superhydrophobicity and Enhanced Mechanical–Thermal Performance. Nanomaterials 2026, 16, 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16010008

AMA Style

Liu Y, Yu Z, Li R, Wang X, Qiao Y. Multifunctional Bamboo Fiber/Epoxy Composites Featuring Integrated Superhydrophobicity and Enhanced Mechanical–Thermal Performance. Nanomaterials. 2026; 16(1):8. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16010008

Chicago/Turabian Style

Liu, Yanchao, Ze Yu, Rumin Li, Xiaodong Wang, and Yingjie Qiao. 2026. "Multifunctional Bamboo Fiber/Epoxy Composites Featuring Integrated Superhydrophobicity and Enhanced Mechanical–Thermal Performance" Nanomaterials 16, no. 1: 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16010008

APA Style

Liu, Y., Yu, Z., Li, R., Wang, X., & Qiao, Y. (2026). Multifunctional Bamboo Fiber/Epoxy Composites Featuring Integrated Superhydrophobicity and Enhanced Mechanical–Thermal Performance. Nanomaterials, 16(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16010008

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Multifunctional Bamboo Fiber/Epoxy Composites Featuring Integrated Superhydrophobicity and Enhanced Mechanical–Thermal Performance

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