Performance Enhancement of the Poplar Wood Composites Biomimetic Mineralized by CaCO₃

Abstract

Inspired by the natural matrix-mediated biomineralization, wood composites were prepared by vacuum impregnation using the gel effect of sodium alginate (SA) on calcium ions, which improved the mechanical properties, flame retardant, and smoke suppression properties of the wood composites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the SA inducer had promoted the orderly deposition and directional crystallization of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) inside the wood cell walls and intercellular spaces. The density and weight gain rate of the biomimetic mineralized wood showed that CaCO 3 effectively adhered to the interior of wood with SA as an inducer. The compressive and flexural strengths were 15.65% and 37.66% higher than those of the control, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) proved that SA alleviated the thermal decomposition and complete combustion of the mineralized wood and improved the thermal stability. Microcalorimetry (MCC) and cone calorimetry (CONE) analyses revealed that the maximum heat release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR), and the total smoke production (TSP) rate of the mineralized wood was reduced by 59.51%, 48.52%, and 51.67%, respectively, compared with those of the control. This research demonstrates the in situ synthesis of CaCO 3 within the cellular microstructure of the poplar which is using it as a biotemplate. With the enhancement of the flame retardant property and others, the wood composite biomimetic mineralized materials modified by CaCO 3 and SA could be utilized more widely in the construction industry or other fields.

Flame Retardant Material Based on Cellulose Scaffold Mineralized by Calcium Carbonate

“…We significantly improved the efficiency of mineralization with CaCO 3 (which can be finished within 40 min) by increasing the porosity with delignification, therefore improving flame retardancy. On the other hand, using CaCO 3 as flame retardant combined with balsa wood showed advantages in mechanical properties, heat insulation, as well as cost and environmental protection, when compared to other studies [26,40,41].…”

Reversible Deacidification and Preventive Conservation of Paper-Based Cultural Relics by Mineralized Bacterial Cellulose

“…The formed char layer can prevent oxygen from further penetrating into the char structure, reduce heat transfer and combustible gas release, and then improve the thermal stability. 40 Then, the vertical flame tests (VFT) were conducted on pure BC, HAP−BC, and CaCO 3 −BC. As seen in Figure S8, pure BC is easily ignited and burns out in about 2 s. For HAP−BC, due to the efficient deposition of HAP minerals on BC nanofibers, the ignition is delayed and the whole membrane is carbonized at the end of the combustion.…”

“…In addition, the loading of minerals also contributes to the residual mass. The formed char layer can prevent oxygen from further penetrating into the char structure, reduce heat transfer and combustible gas release, and then improve the thermal stability . Then, the vertical flame tests (VFT) were conducted on pure BC, HAP–BC, and CaCO 3 –BC.…”

Construction of Mineralization Nanostructures in Polymers for Mechanical Enhancement and Functionalization

“…[17,37,38] The other is to utilize merits of the mineralization itself to functionalize, strengthen, and toughen different matrices (e.g., polymers, metals, ceramics). [39][40][41][42] While eyes are focused on the mineralization-modified polymer composites, endeavors to efficiently combine mineralization with matrix have resulted in the emergence of a diversity of novel multifunctional materials. For instance, hydrogels for cranial in situ regeneration, [43] high-strength polyimide vitrimers, [22] mineralized nanofiltration membranes with ultra-high separation efficiency, [44] and injectable mineralized hydrogels for tumor therapies.…”