Super-robust and sustainable bamboo structural material enabled by bonding network reconstruction.

Du, Tao; Cheng, Jiali; Hou, Guanyi; Jiang, Lei; Zhou, Yanli; Wang, Yu; Shi, Zhengjun; Xu, Jikun et al. · Nat Commun · 2026

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Lightweight, homogeneously high-strength, and sustainable structural materials exert a crucial role in advanced engineering fields. Bamboo can be processed into high-performance structural material if its mechanical strength and homogeneity are remarkably enhanced. Herein, we report a strategy to process natural bamboo into a lightweight, robust, and durable structural material (HoRo-Bamboo) with homogenously high strengths in both longitudinal (L) and transversal (T) directions through bonding network reconstruction technology. The process requires the dispersion of fibers through H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>/O<sub>3</sub> treatment, followed by the introduction of Al<sup>3+</sup> and rapid pressing to reconstruct the ionic-hydrogen bonding network (IHBN). The as-prepared HoRo-Bamboo exhibits a low density of 0.83 g·cm<sup>-3</sup> with superb high tensile strengths in both L (631 MPa) and T (628 MPa) directions, as well as the excellent environmental resistance and flame retardancy. Life cycle assessment shows that the carbon emissions from producing 1 kg of HoRo-Bamboo are 1.67 kg of CO<sub>2</sub> eq. Our approach enables bamboo to be an excellent alternative to existing structural materials, offering lightweight, super-robust, decarbonized, and sustainable features.