Strengthening of Wood-like Materials via Densification and Nanoparticle Intercalation

Abstract

Recently, several chemical and physical treatments were developed to improve different properties of wood. Such treatments are applicable to many types of cellulose-based materials. Densification leads the group in terms of mechanical results and comprises a chemical treatment followed by a thermo-compression stage. First, chemicals selectively etch the matrix of lignin and hemicellulose. Then, thermo-compression increases the packing density of cellulose microfibrils boosting mechanical performance. In this paper, in comparison with the state-of-the-art for wood treatments we introduce an additional nano-reinforcemeent on densified giant reed to further improve the mechanical performance. The modified nanocomposite materials are stiffer, stronger, tougher and show higher fire resistance. After the addition of nanoparticles, no relevant structural modification is induced as they are located in the gaps between cellulose microfibrils. Their peculiar positioning could increase the interfacial adhesion energy and improve the stress transfer between cellulose microfibrils. The presented process stands as a viable solution to introduce nanoparticles as new functionalities into cellulose-based natural materials.

Elucidating the Ambient Stability and Gas Sensing Mechanism of Nickel-Decorated Phosphorene for NO2 Detection: A First-Principles Study

“…Since its discovery, graphene has been widely studied due to its excellent electronic, optical, and mechanical properties. − Then, many kinds of two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted attention because of their quantum confinement effect, high-specific surface areas, and excellent flexibility. − The high surface-to-volume ratio and low electrical noise made them interesting materials with a great potential in many technological applications including gas sensing, − in which metal-oxide semiconductors are the most widely investigated materials. − However, the gapless characteristic of graphene limits its applications, inspiring researchers to investigate other 2D materials, which possess similar properties with a suitable band gap.…”

Potential Use of Wollastonite as a Filler in UF Resin Based Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)

“…Many minerals have been added to resins as reinforcing fillers to improve the composite properties [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Silicate minerals have been shown to enhance the thermal conductivity in oriented strandboard, thereby reducing the potential energy [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Nanocellulose and Its Interface: On the Road to the Design of Emerging Materials

“…[223] Filling the network of channels of nanowood with different molecules or nanostructures is a simple approach for manufacturing composite materials. Indeed, impregnation with polyethylene, [224] spinassisted LbL deposition of poly(vinyl amine), [225] or filling with nanoparticles of silicon carbide and graphene oxide, [226] resulted in materials with superior performances, such as mechanical anisotropic resistance, hindered water uptake and chemical oxidation, [224] tensile strength exceeding that of the original tree, [225] increased fire-retarding, and thermo-indentation resistances. [226]…”