Modification Mechanisms and Properties of Poplar Wood via Grafting with 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate/N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) onto Cell Walls

Abstract

As the only renewable resource among the four basic materials (steel, cement, plastic, wood), wood itself and wood products have a “low carbon” value and play an important role in storing carbon. The moisture absorption and expansion properties of wood limit its application scope and shorten its service life. To enhance the mechanical and physical properties of fast-growing poplars, an eco-friendly modification procedure has been used. This was accomplished by the in situ modification of wood cell walls by vacuum pressure impregnation with a reaction of water-soluble 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and N,N’-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBA). The anti-swelling efficiency of HEMA/MBA-treated wood was improved (up to 61.13%), whereas HEMA/MBA-treated wood presented a lower weight-gain rate (WG) and water-absorption rate (WAR). It was observed that the modulus of elasticity, hardness, density, and other properties of modified wood had improved significantly, as indicated by XRD analysis. Modifiers diffuse primarily within cell walls and cell interstices of wood, causing crosslinks between the modifiers and the cell walls, reducing its hydroxyl content and blocking the channels for water movement, thereby enhancing its physical properties. This result can be obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Nitrogen adsorption test imaging ATR-FTIR (Attenuated total reflection-Fourier-Transform Infrared) Spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Nitrogen adsorption test. Overall, this straightforward, high-performance modification method is crucial for maximizing wood’s efficiency and the sustainable development of human society.

Cell Wall Modification Based on Combination Reagents to Improve Dimensional Stability of Wood with High Efficiency

“…On the other hand, the micro/nanopores in the cell wall would be blocked by the in situ produced polymer, which reduces the channel of water transportation. As as result, moisture absorption would decrease obviously in modified wood. − For instance, a wood composite with in situ polymerized furfural resin had good hydrophobicity and dimensional stability. , The modification of wood cell walls using water-soluble 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and N , N '-methylene bis­(acrylamide) (MBA) achieved an antiswelling efficiency (ASE) value of 61.13% with weight percent gain (WPG) of 37.4%. Water-soluble vinyl monomers HEMA and N -methylol acrylamide (NMA) sufficiently penetrated into and cross-linked with wood cell walls, and the ASE value reached 68.37% for the modified wood with a WPG of 40% .…”

Strong and Durable Wood Designed by Cell Wall Bulking Combined with Cell Lumen Filling

“…Currently, due to the scarcity of high-quality timber resources, fast-growing tree species such as poplar have become crucial plantation species because of their advantages of fast growth, wide distribution, and strong adaptability. However, poplar wood, despite its fast growth, is flimsy, low-strength, easy to decay and deform, and difficult to utilize, which significantly limits its application and development [ 2 ]. In order to fully utilize wood resources and prepare environmentally friendly materials to alleviate the contradiction between supply and demand, it is necessary to modify fast-growing poplar [ 3 ].…”