The Improvement of Fast-Growing Wood Species Physical Properties through Impregnation of nano-SiO2

Abstract

Nano-SiO2 based wood polymer composites are from impregnation of nano-SiO2 and melamine formaldehyde-furfuryl alcohol (MFFA) copolymers. This study aimed at analyzing the impregnation of a mixture of nano-SiO2 and MFFA copolymers on the properties of jabon and ganitri wood and explaining characteristics of jabon and ganitri wood after the process. The result showed that impregnation process could increase the physical parameters of jabon and ganitri wood. The wood density of jabon has risen from 0.32 to 0.56 g /cm3 , and that of ganitri wood has increased from 0.41 to 0.62 g /cm3 . Both weigt percen gaint of jabon and ganitri wood has risen by 68.34%, and 65.73%. The anti swelling efficiency jabon and ganitri has also increased by 46.66% and 70.19%.In addition, the bulking effect of jabon and ganitri wood was risen by 7.55% and 7.74%. The water uptake Jabon was decreased from 219.79% to 75.49%, and ganitri has also reduce from 86.4% to 45.32%. Wood characteristics identification after the impregnation process with nano-SiO2 and MFFA was using FTIR and XRD. The FTIR study showed that the peak of absorption shifted to a higher wave number on wood impregnated with nano-SiO2. The XRD study verified that there was a decrease in the crystallinity of wood cellulose. The presence of MFFA and nano-SiO2 polymers in the wood cell walls and cell lumen was detected using the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results of physical properties and characterization tests with FTIR, XRD and SEM showed that jabon and ganitri impregnated with nano-SiO2 0.5% and MFFA are the optimal combinations.