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The aim of this study was to determine the acoustic and thermal properties of particleboards made from mulberry wood pruning waste using urea formaldehyde resin (UF) as a binder. The investigation focused on the evaluation of the thermal conductivity and the acoustic absorption of the boards and the assessment of their feasibility for use in the construction sector. The mean thermal conductivity values of the particleboards (0.065–0.068 W/mK) were lower than those obtained in wood and similar to those in cork panels. The samples were tested with frequencies from 50 to 6300 Hz. In all cases, the results allowed us to conclude that they were better sound absorbers than commercial wood and plywood panels of the same average density for low frequencies, and with similar values for medium and high frequencies. The mechanical results reached the minimum requirement to be considered as boards for general use and, specifically with particles from 0.25 to 1.00 mm, for furniture according to European standards. The particle size of the particleboards was the variable that influenced all the acoustic properties, but did not affect the thermal conductivity. The experimental results indicated that the thermal and acoustic properties of these particleboards were promising for their application in commercial uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of bio-based building materials is a sustainable opportunity to reduce the environmental footprint associated with the construction sector. The achievement of this objective is primely achieved through the valorisation of vegetable waste, resulting in a reduction in the use of primary source material and waste generation. Within the scope of this study, the focus is directed towards research concerning the thermal, acoustic, and fire behaviour properties of bio-based building materials. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis encompassing all documents meeting these criteria within the Scopus database, spanning two decades, from 2003 to 2023. The comprehensive analysis covered a total of 1081 documents, which were analysed. This analysis furnishes insight into various facets, including the temporal evolution of publications, journals boasting the highest publication counts and impact, influential research areas, countries with substantial contributions and their collaborative patterns, noteworthy affiliations, prolific authors, and seminal documents, alongside recurrent keywords. The objective of this comprehensive study is to provide a detailed analysis of the documents published up to the present day, in order to identify research gaps and potential opportunities in this field, to assist new researchers interested in the subject. The analysis reveals that bio-based building materials have gained substantial attention over the past decade. With each passing year, the published documents have increased their impact and become more specific, underscoring the growing importance of this subject. This evolution has also fostered a broader network of researchers engaged in this field. However, it is noteworthy that the characterization of these materials focuses predominantly on their thermal properties, while research avenues related to acoustic and fire properties remain less explored and present opportunities for future investigation. • This study contributes to identify research gaps and potential opportunities in the field of bio-based building materials. • Studies in bio-based building materials have shown an annual growth of the 25% since 2014, being a topic on the rise. • France and China are the countries with the highest scientific publication on bio-based building materials. • Keywords play a crucial role in making visible the research within bio-based building materials. • "Thermal Conductivity" and "Thermal insulation" are the most repeated keywords in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]