Decay resistance and moisture absorption of transparent wood composite

ABSTRACT

Transparent wood composite (TWC) is a novel wood-based polymer composite that combines high optical transmittance (more than 80%) with good mechanical and thermal properties. It offers numerous potential areas of applications, including smart windows, energy-efficient elements, display panels, light diffusers and substrates for solar cells. The sensitivity of TWC towards moisture and biological agents such as fungus becomes important for certain applications. In this study, TWCs were prepared using wood veneers of Populus deltoides (poplar) and Melia dubia (melia) through the process of lignin-modification bleaching and epoxy-resin infiltration. Water-absorption studies were carried out by immersing TWC specimens in deionized water for a duration of 400 h and by exposing specimens to different relative humidity (RH) conditions. The fungal resistance was evaluated by exposing specimens to a brown rot (Oligoporous placentus) and a white rot (Trametes hirsutu) fungus. Results indicated that TWC can absorb a maximum of 8% to 10% of water during a water immersion test for a period of 400 h. Exposing TWC specimens to different RH conditions resulted in no significant moisture adsorption. TWC was highly resistant to white rot and brown rot fungus.

KEYWORDS:

• Lignin modification
• epoxy resin
• fungal degradation
• white rot
• brown rot

Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank Mrs. N. Mamatha for her help in conducting fungal decay tests.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Priya Bisht acknowledges the financial support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi, under the Inspire fellowship [No. DST/INSPIRE Fellowship/[IF190269]].