Eco-Friendly Wood Composites: Design, Characterization and Applications

• Other Authors: Bekhta, Pavlo (Editor), Antov, Petar (Editor), Zhou, Yonghui (Editor), Savov, Viktor (Editor)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2023
• Subjects: Technology: general issues; History of engineering & technology; max stress; Tsai-Wu; Tsai-Hill; Puck; Hoffman; Hashin; failure criteria; beech; finite element modelling; composites; biomaterials; bio-composites; bio design; mycelium-based composites; biopolymers; interior design; architecture; wood; mycelium; fungi; patent documents; advanced biocomposites; natural fibers; green flame retardants; fire retardancy; product safety; acid precipitation; single and fractionation step; kraft lignin; physical and chemical properties; A. mangium black liquor; antibacterial; biocomposite; mechanical properties; poly (lactic acid); wood leachate; wood-based panels; fiberboards; adhesive system; hydrolysis lignin; phenol-formaldehyde resin; optimization; hot-pressing; birch outer bark; suberinic acids; particle boards; Gigantochloa pruriens; chemical properties; physical and mechanical properties; wood-based composites; particleboard; thermoplastic starch; Arenga pinnata; modification; benzoyl peroxide; twin-screw extruder; coating; heat treatment; nanotechnology; nanosilver; permeability; porous structure; solid wood; thermal modification; n/a
• Online Access: DOAB: download the publication; DOAB: description of the publication

Traditional wood composites are produced with synthetic, formaldehyde-based adhesives, commonly made from fossil-derived constituents, such as urea, phenol, melamine, etc. Along with their undisputable advantages, these adhesives are characterized by certain problems, connected with the emission of hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including free formaldehyde emission from the finished wood composites, which is carcinogenic to humans and harmful to the environment. The growing environmental concerns, connected with the adoption of circular economy principles, and the new, stricter legislative requirements for the emission of harmful VOCs, e.g., free formaldehyde, from wood composites, have posed new challenges to researchers and industrial practice, related to the development of sustainable, eco-friendly wood composites, optimization of the available lignocellulosic raw materials, and use of alternative resources. This reprint presents a collection of 10 high-quality original research and review papers providing examples of the most recent advances and technological developments in the fabrication, design, characteristics, and applications of eco-friendly wood and wood-based composites.