Previous Article in Journal
Influence of Epichlorohydrin Concentration on the Physicochemical and Rheological Performance of Lignin/PVA Hydrogels
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Polymers
Volume 17
Issue 23
10.3390/polym17233224
polymers-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Starch–Citric Acid Adhesive: Preparation and Performance Study Catalyzed by p-Toluenesulfonic Acid

by
Jiankun Liang
1,†,
De Li
2,3,†,
Zhongyou Luo
3,
Yuqi Yang
4,
Tong Meng
4,
Chuchu Chen
4,
Huali Li
4,
Ningyuan Zuo
4,
Qiuli Li
4,
Hui Yang
1,* and
Zhigang Wu
4,*
1
College of Civil Engineering, Kaili University, Kaili 556011, China
2
School of Chemistry and Material Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
3
Yueyang Forestry Bureau, Yueyang 414000, China
4
College of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Polymers 2025, 17(23), 3224; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17233224
Submission received: 11 October 2025 / Revised: 23 November 2025 / Accepted: 2 December 2025 / Published: 3 December 2025
Versions Notes

Abstract

This study investigates the application effects of p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TsOH) as an efficient catalyst in the esterification reaction of starch–citric acid adhesives, aiming to successfully prepare plywood with good water resistance through lower hot-pressing temperatures. By precisely controlling the addition ratio of pTSA (0–10%), the multifaceted impacts on the adhesive’s curing behavior, bonding strength, water resistance, thermal stability, and microstructure were analyzed. The results demonstrate that pTSA substantially catalyzes the esterification crosslinking reaction between starch and citric acid. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis reveals a significant reduction in the reaction peak temperature from 197.7 °C to 154.3 °C, which effectively lowers the hot-pressing temperature and provides more energy-efficient processing conditions for plywood production. When pTSA addition is within the range of 6–8%, the adhesive exhibits superior bonding performance and water resistance. Moreover, thermal stability is significantly enhanced and the microstructure becomes denser, collectively improving the overall performance of the plywood. This study not only provides a solid theoretical basis for the development of high-performance, environmentally friendly, starch-based wood adhesives but also offers strong technical support for the practical application of related technologies expected to promote the green and sustainable development of the wood adhesive industry.
Keywords: starch; citric acid; p-Toluenesulfonic acid; bio-based adhesive; plywood; bonding performance starch; citric acid; p-Toluenesulfonic acid; bio-based adhesive; plywood; bonding performance

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Liang, J.; Li, D.; Luo, Z.; Yang, Y.; Meng, T.; Chen, C.; Li, H.; Zuo, N.; Li, Q.; Yang, H.; et al. Starch–Citric Acid Adhesive: Preparation and Performance Study Catalyzed by p-Toluenesulfonic Acid. Polymers 2025, 17, 3224. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17233224

AMA Style

Liang J, Li D, Luo Z, Yang Y, Meng T, Chen C, Li H, Zuo N, Li Q, Yang H, et al. Starch–Citric Acid Adhesive: Preparation and Performance Study Catalyzed by p-Toluenesulfonic Acid. Polymers. 2025; 17(23):3224. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17233224

Chicago/Turabian Style

Liang, Jiankun, De Li, Zhongyou Luo, Yuqi Yang, Tong Meng, Chuchu Chen, Huali Li, Ningyuan Zuo, Qiuli Li, Hui Yang, and et al. 2025. "Starch–Citric Acid Adhesive: Preparation and Performance Study Catalyzed by p-Toluenesulfonic Acid" Polymers 17, no. 23: 3224. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17233224

APA Style

Liang, J., Li, D., Luo, Z., Yang, Y., Meng, T., Chen, C., Li, H., Zuo, N., Li, Q., Yang, H., & Wu, Z. (2025). Starch–Citric Acid Adhesive: Preparation and Performance Study Catalyzed by p-Toluenesulfonic Acid. Polymers, 17(23), 3224. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17233224

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Article metric data becomes available approximately 24 hours after publication online.
Back to TopTop