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Polymers
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Wood Polymer Composites: Processing, Properties, and Applications
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Wood Polymer Composites: Processing, Properties, and Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 July 2023) | Viewed by 15919

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Yanjun Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Interests: bamboo; saturated steam; cell walls; modulus of elasticity; hardness; nanoindentation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wood is a CO2-neutral, renewable, versatile, and natural material that is widely used in different applications. With the increasing environmental and health concerns, the development and application of wood-based materials have attracted increasing attention. Simultaneously, as the most promising woody herbaceous plant substitute of wood in some applications, bamboo has also been studied extensively in recent decades. However, these materials have several undesirable properties, such as biodeterioration, dimensional instability, inflammability, and photodegradation—all drawbacks which severely restrict their utilization in a variety of applications. 

Numerous efforts have been made to overcome these issues and further improve the properties of wood and bamboo. Innovative approaches and environmentally friendly regents are being sought. 

This Special Issue, entitled “Wood Polymer Composites: Processing, Properties, and Applications”, welcomes research and review papers covering all aspects related to the protection and modification of wood and bamboo materials, including but not limited to wood preservation, weathering, flame retardance, wood polymer composites, dimensional stability, mechanical properties, mildew resistance, termite resistance, wood adhesives, and coatings.

Prof. Dr. Yanjun Li
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • wood preservation
  • weathering
  • flame retardance
  • wood polymer composites
  • dimensional stability
  • mechanical properties
  • mildew resistance
  • termite resistance
  • wood adhesives
  • coatings

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 2372 KiB  
Article
Research on the Change in Chemical Composition and Fungal Resistance of Moso Bamboo with Heat Treatment
by Wangwang Yu and Yong Wang
Polymers 2023, 15(2), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15020453 - 15 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1342
Abstract
Bamboo, as a potential alternative to biomass materials, has gained more attention from the bamboo manufacturing industry in China. However, the drawbacks, such as the dimensional instability, and low antifungal and hydrophilic properties of bamboo, inhibit its application and shorten its service life. [...] Read more.
Bamboo, as a potential alternative to biomass materials, has gained more attention from the bamboo manufacturing industry in China. However, the drawbacks, such as the dimensional instability, and low antifungal and hydrophilic properties of bamboo, inhibit its application and shorten its service life. The objective of this work was to analyze the change in chemical components and fungal resistance of moso bamboo with heat treatment. For this objective, moso bamboo specimens were thermally modified in an oven at different temperatures for a fixed duration. The results showed that the parenchymal cells distorted and deformed in comparison to the control after thermal modification. After thermal modification in an oven, the crystallinity index increased from 39% to 53%. Owing to the thermal modification, the hemicellulose and cellulose relative content decreased, as confirmed by FTIR and XPS analysis. Thus, the dimensional stability and antifungal properties of the thermally modified bamboo specimens improved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood Polymer Composites: Processing, Properties, and Applications)
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14 pages, 3474 KiB  
Article
Effect of Impregnation with Natural Shellac Polymer on the Mechanical Properties of Fast-Growing Chinese Fir
by Qinzhi Zeng, Xiya Yu, Nianfeng Wei, Zhiyong Wu, Qisong Liu, Nairong Chen and Weigang Zhao
Polymers 2022, 14(18), 3871; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14183871 - 16 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1426
Abstract
Fast-growing Chinese fir wood has shortfalls such as loose structure and low strength because it grows faster than natural trees. Resin impregnation is a great way to increase the strength of fast-growing fir. However, the resin used for impregnation is a kind of [...] Read more.
Fast-growing Chinese fir wood has shortfalls such as loose structure and low strength because it grows faster than natural trees. Resin impregnation is a great way to increase the strength of fast-growing fir. However, the resin used for impregnation is a kind of urea-formaldehyde resin, phenolic formaldehyde resin, melamine formaldehyde resin, and the like, which introduce harmful substances such as formaldehyde or phenolic into the wood. In this paper, Chinese fir wood was impregnated with natural shellac polymer, and the effects of impregnation variables on the mechanical properties of the wood were examined. The increase in strength in compression perpendicular to grain (SCPG) of wood samples impregnated with 15% shellac solution achieved a maximum value of 39.01%, but the modulus of rupture (MOR) was slightly reduced. The effects of the impregnation pressure, time, and their interaction were investigated by the response surface method (RSM). ANOVA analysis revealed that the impregnation pressure and time and the interaction between the two seemed to have a significant effect on ∆SCPG. Based on the response face model, the corresponding optimal parameters obtained are 1.0 MPa and 16.0 min for impregnation pressure and time, respectively. By impregnating fir wood with the above optimal conditions, the SCPG increased by 85.78%, whereas the MOR decreased by the least amount. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood Polymer Composites: Processing, Properties, and Applications)
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14 pages, 1045 KiB  
Article
Understanding the Interaction of Lignosulfonates for the Separation of Molybdenite and Chalcopyrite in Seawater Flotation Processes
by Consuelo Quiroz, Romina Murga, Juan David Giraldo, Leopoldo Gutierrez and Lina Uribe
Polymers 2022, 14(14), 2834; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14142834 - 12 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1372
Abstract
The selective separation of molybdenite from copper sulfide concentrate in flotation process is realized using sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) to depress the chalcopyrite and permit only the flotation of the molybdenite. However, this reagent is a highly toxic and flammable gas. The objective of [...] Read more.
The selective separation of molybdenite from copper sulfide concentrate in flotation process is realized using sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) to depress the chalcopyrite and permit only the flotation of the molybdenite. However, this reagent is a highly toxic and flammable gas. The objective of this research was to study the feasible application of commercial lignosulfonates (LSs) in the separation by froth flotation process of molybdenite and chalcopyrite in seawater to present a novel application for LSs, as well as an alternative reagent to sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS). To achieve this, microflotation, absorbance tests and zeta potential measures were performed at pH 8 in seawater and 0.01 M NaCl. The results obtained in this study showed that it is possible to achieve selective separation of copper and molybdenum in both aqueous media due to high depressant effect of molybdenite and low depression of chalcopyrite in microflotation tests at 10 ppm of LSs, when the collector, PAX, is added prior to the addition of LSs. Absorbance study and zeta potential measurements showed that LSs adhere more to the molybdenite surface in seawater than in freshwater. This is related to the high ionic charge of the media that influences a greater interaction of LSs with the mineral surface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood Polymer Composites: Processing, Properties, and Applications)
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11 pages, 2069 KiB  
Article
Facile Electrodeposition of NiCo2O4 Nanosheets on Porous Carbonized Wood for Wood-Derived Asymmetric Supercapacitors
by Jingjiang Yang, Huiling Li, Shuijian He, Haijuan Du, Kunming Liu, Chunmei Zhang and Shaohua Jiang
Polymers 2022, 14(13), 2521; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14132521 - 21 Jun 2022
Cited by 51 | Viewed by 2193
Abstract
Multichannel-porous carbon derived from wood can serve as a conductive substrate for fast charge transfer and ion diffusion, supporting the high-theory capacitance of pseudocapacitive materials. Herein, NiCo2O4 nanosheets, which are hierarchically porous, anchored on the surface of carbonized wood via [...] Read more.
Multichannel-porous carbon derived from wood can serve as a conductive substrate for fast charge transfer and ion diffusion, supporting the high-theory capacitance of pseudocapacitive materials. Herein, NiCo2O4 nanosheets, which are hierarchically porous, anchored on the surface of carbonized wood via electrodeposition for free-binder high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials, were proposed. Benefiting from the effectively alleviated NiCo2O4 nanosheets accumulation and sufficient active surface area for redox reaction, a N-doped wood-derived porous carbon-NiCo2O4 nanosheet hybrid material (NCNS–NCW) electrode exhibited a specific electric capacity of 1730 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 in 1 mol L−1 KOH and splendid electrochemical firmness with 80% capacitance retention after cycles. Furthermore, an all-wood-based asymmetric supercapacitor based on NCNS–NCW//NCW was assembled and a high energy density of 56.1 Wh kg−1 at a watt density of 349 W kg−1 was achieved. Due to the great electrochemical performance of NCNS–NCW, we expect it to be used as an electrode material with great promise for energy storage equipment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood Polymer Composites: Processing, Properties, and Applications)
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14 pages, 4403 KiB  
Article
Anisotropic Tensile Characterisation of Eucalyptus nitens Timber above Its Fibre Saturation Point, and Its Application
by Xudong Chen, Yingyao Cheng, Andrew Chan, Damien Holloway and Gregory Nolan
Polymers 2022, 14(12), 2390; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14122390 - 13 Jun 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1592
Abstract
Plantation-grown Eucalyptus nitens (E. nitens) has been grown predominantly for the pulp and paper industry. In this study, the suitability of E. nitens as a structural material is examined using static tensile tests in a universal testing machine. The anisotropic tensile [...] Read more.
Plantation-grown Eucalyptus nitens (E. nitens) has been grown predominantly for the pulp and paper industry. In this study, the suitability of E. nitens as a structural material is examined using static tensile tests in a universal testing machine. The anisotropic tensile behaviour of 240 Eucalyptus nitens small clear wood samples with a diversity of grain angles was examined in both dry and wet conditions. The samples had a highly anisotropic tensile characterisation in the context of both a low moisture content (MC = 12%) and a high moisture content (MC > its fibre saturation point, FSP). The results showed that, in a high moisture content condition, the wood showed a lower failure strength and more ductility at all grain angles than in a low moisture content condition. The underlying failure mechanism of Eucalyptusnitens timber in tension was determined in detail from the perspective of the microstructure of wood cellulose polymer composites. The mean tensile failure strengths perpendicular and parallel to the fibre direction were, respectively, 5.6 and 91.6 MPa for the low MC and 3.8 and 62.1 MPa for the high MC condition. This research provides a basis for using E. nitens as a potential structural tensile member. The moisture modification factors of Eucalyptus timber at a mean level are higher than those of the traditional construction material, Pinus radiata, implying that E. nitens is promising as a material to be used for tensile members in water saturated conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood Polymer Composites: Processing, Properties, and Applications)
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Graphical abstract

14 pages, 4296 KiB  
Article
A New Process of Preparing Rice Straw-Reinforced LLDPE Composite
by Huicheng Xu, Mengyuan Dun, Zhengqi Zhang, Lei Zhang, Weidong Shan and Weihong Wang
Polymers 2022, 14(11), 2243; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14112243 - 31 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2718
Abstract
To reduce the pollution resulting from discarding waste plastic film and burning straw, a new method of preparing straw-reinforced LLDPE composites was developed to utilize these wastes. The straws were first laid parallel on an LLDPE film and then rolled up. The rolls [...] Read more.
To reduce the pollution resulting from discarding waste plastic film and burning straw, a new method of preparing straw-reinforced LLDPE composites was developed to utilize these wastes. The straws were first laid parallel on an LLDPE film and then rolled up. The rolls containing long straws were laid into a mat and then hot-pressed into a long straw composite board (the mass of straw accounted for 60%). Slope-cutting the straw, grinding the straw, and twisting the roll were designed to improve the physical and mechanical properties of long straw composites. Among them, slope-cutting the straw combined with twisting the roll provided the best properties. Compared to the extruded straw particle composite, the composite prepared with the new method improved the tensile strength, bending strength, impact strength, and water resistance by 358%, 151%, 416%, and 81%, respectively. Slope-cutting exposed more inner surface at the end of the straw. Scanning electron microscope observations showed that the straw inner surface was more tightly bonded with the LLDPE matrix than the outer surface. Meanwhile, the integrity of the straw was retained as much as possible, and thus greatly improved the performance of the resulting composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis show that the viscous deformation of the composites prepared by the new method was reduced and the rigidity was increased, and the combination of straw and LLDPE forms a dense composite material with good interfacial bonding. It greatly slowed down the degree of its pyrolysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood Polymer Composites: Processing, Properties, and Applications)
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12 pages, 9185 KiB  
Article
Study on Bamboo Longitudinal Flattening Technology
by Tiancheng Yuan, Tao Zhang, Yaqian Huang, Yifei Wu, Xinzhou Wang and Yanjun Li
Polymers 2022, 14(4), 816; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14040816 - 20 Feb 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2362
Abstract
In this paper, we introduced a bamboo longitudinal flattening technology and analyzed the effects of the softening–flattening process on the physical and mechanical properties of moso bamboo. This is a newer bamboo processing technology that can enhance the utilization and reduce pollution compared [...] Read more.
In this paper, we introduced a bamboo longitudinal flattening technology and analyzed the effects of the softening–flattening process on the physical and mechanical properties of moso bamboo. This is a newer bamboo processing technology that can enhance the utilization and reduce pollution compared with traditional bamboo-based products. Results showed that the parenchyma cells distorted and compacted due to the flattening process. The hemicellulose and cellulose content decreased, while the content of lignin presented an increasing tendency. As expected, the dimensional stability of moso bamboo enhanced due to the decrement of hemicellulose. The softening–flattening process positively contributed to the micro-mechanical properties of treated bamboo specimens. For example, the hardness and modulus of elasticity of the untreated bamboo sample increased from 0.58 and 15.7 GPa to 0.8 and 17.5 GPa, respectively. In addition, the changes in cellulose crystallinity and mechanical properties were also investigated in this paper. The cellulose crystallinity increased from 37.5% to 43.2%, significantly. However, the modulus of rupture of the flattened bamboo board decreased from 9000 to 7500 MPa due to the grooves made by the flattening roller. The MOE of flattening bamboo board showed the same decreasing tendency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood Polymer Composites: Processing, Properties, and Applications)
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10 pages, 2267 KiB  
Article
Change in Micro-Morphology and Micro-Mechanical Properties of Thermally Modified Moso Bamboo
by Tiancheng Yuan, Yaqian Huang, Tao Zhang, Xinzhou Wang and Yanjun Li
Polymers 2022, 14(3), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14030646 - 08 Feb 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1940
Abstract
In recent years, saturated steam heat treatment has been considered as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective modification method compared with traditional heat treatment media. In this study, bamboo was treated by saturated steam, and the change in chemical composition, cellulose crystallinity index, micro-morphology, [...] Read more.
In recent years, saturated steam heat treatment has been considered as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective modification method compared with traditional heat treatment media. In this study, bamboo was treated by saturated steam, and the change in chemical composition, cellulose crystallinity index, micro-morphology, and micromechanical properties were analyzed by a wet chemistry method, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nanoindentation, and so on. Results illustrated that the parenchyma cell walls were distorted due to the decomposition of hemicellulose and cellulose in bamboo samples. As expected, the hemicellulose and cellulose content decreased, whereas the lignin content increased significantly. In addition, the cellulose crystallinity index and thus the micromechanical properties of bamboo cell walls increased. For example, the hardness increased from 0.69 GPa to 0.84 GPa owing to the enhanced crystallinity index and lignin content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood Polymer Composites: Processing, Properties, and Applications)
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