Abstract
The use of formaldehyde-based adhesives in the wood-based composite industry represents a healthcare concern due to its toxic volatile compounds. For this reason, this work presents the use of a formaldehyde barrier layer based on cellulose nanofibers (CNF) obtained from Manila hemp (Musa textilis) fibers. The elaborated CNF films were firstly evaluated in their mechanical properties, gas transmittance, and surface free energy. Commercially available particleboards were produced with urea–formaldehyde resin and then covered in their external faces by CNF films, and the results were compared to those of an industrial-type laminate. These multilayered composites were evaluated in their morphology, surface free energy, and emission of free formaldehyde. Results showed that the addition of CNF layers reduced significantly the emission of formaldehyde (26% less). The bio-based nature of cellulose nanofibers provides an environmentally friendly barrier to prevent the emissions of volatile organic compounds from industrially available particleboards.
Graphic abstract
Abbreviations
- CNF:
-
Cellulose nanofibers
- IL:
-
Particleboard bonded with industrial laminate
- MUF:
-
Melamine–urea–formaldehyde
- NP:
-
Particleboard bonded with nanopaper
- OTR:
-
Oxygen transmission rate
- PB:
-
Particleboard
- PF:
-
Phenol–formaldehyde
- SEM:
-
Scanning electron microscopy
- UF:
-
Urea–formaldehyde
- WVTR:
-
Water vapor transmission rate
- γ s :
-
Surface free energy
- θ w :
-
Water contact angle
References
Bono R, Munnia A, Romanazzi V et al (2016) Formaldehyde-induced toxicity in the nasal epithelia of workers of a plastic laminate plant. Toxicol Res 5:752–760. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5TX00478K
Bradman A, Gaspar F, Castorina R et al (2017) Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde exposure and risk characterization in California early childhood education environments. Indoor Air 27:104–113. https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12283
California Air Resources Board (2007) Airborne toxic control measure (ATCM) to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products. Fact Sheet 1–2. https://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/factsheet.pdf. Accessed 1 Oct 2019
Caron F, Guichard R, Robert L et al (2019) Impact of ventilation on indoor air quality: singular behaviour of formaldehyde. Chem Eng Trans 74:997–1002. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET1974167
Cartwright LC (1947) Measurement of gas permeability of sheet materials. Anal Chem 19:393–396. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac60006a011
Diop CIK, Tajvidi M, Bilodeau MA et al (2017) Evaluation of the incorporation of lignocellulose nanofibrils as sustainable adhesive replacement in medium density fiberboards. Ind Crops Prod 109:27–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.08.004
Drovou S, Kassegne KA, Kadja K et al (2019) Effect of granulometry and binder rate on the physical, thermal and mechanical properties of Africa antiaris (Antiaris africana) sawdust particleboard made with the tannic powder of African locust been pod husk (Parkia biglobosa) and the India tamarind (Pithecellobium dulce) peel. J Indian Acad Wood Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13196-019-00241-0
European Committee for Standardization (2010) EN 312: particleboards—specifications. European Committee for Standardization, Brussels
IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer (2012) Chemical agents and related occupations volume 100 F A review of human carcinogens. IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. WHO Press, Lyon
International Organization for Standardization (2015) ISO 12460—wood-based panels—determination of formaldehyde release—part 3: gas analysis method. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva
Lavoine N, Desloges I, Dufresne A, Bras J (2012) Microfibrillated cellulose—its barrier properties and applications in cellulosic materials: a review. Carbohydr Polym 90:735–764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.05.026
Liang W, Lv M, Yang X (2016) The combined effects of temperature and humidity on initial emittable formaldehyde concentration of a medium-density fiberboard. Build Environ 98:80–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.12.024
Mondal S (2018) Review on nanocellulose polymer nanocomposites. Polym Plast Technol Eng 57:1377–1391. https://doi.org/10.1080/03602559.2017.1381253
Park B-D, Chang Kang E, Yong Park J (2006) Effects of formaldehyde to urea mole ratio on thermal curing behavior of urea–formaldehyde resin and properties of particleboard. J Appl Polym Sci 101:1787–1792. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.23538
Rovira J, Roig N, Nadal M et al (2016) Human health risks of formaldehyde indoor levels: an issue of concern. J Environ Sci Health Part A 51:357–363. https://doi.org/10.1080/10934529.2015.1109411
Sauder LR, Chatham MD, Green DJ, Kulle TJ (1986) Acute pulmonary response to formaldehyde exposure in healthy nonsmokers. J Occup Med 28:420–424
Siew SS, Martinsen JI, Kjaerheim K et al (2017) Occupational exposure to wood dust and risk of nasal and nasopharyngeal cancer: a case-control study among men in four nordic countries—with an emphasis on nasal adenocarcinoma. Int J Cancer 141:2430–2436. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.31015
Solt P, Konnerth J, Gindl-Altmutter W et al (2019) Technological performance of formaldehyde-free adhesive alternatives for particleboard industry. Int J Adhes Adhes 94:99–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJADHADH.2019.04.007
Tang L, Zhang Z-G, Qi J et al (2011) The preparation and application of a new formaldehyde-free adhesive for plywood. Int J Adhes Adhes 31:507–512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijadhadh.2011.04.005
Theng D, Arbat G, Delgado-Aguilar M et al (2015) All-lignocellulosic fiberboard from corn biomass and cellulose nanofibers. Ind Crops Prod 76:166–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2015.06.046
Urruzola I, Robles E, Serrano L, Labidi J (2014) Nanopaper from almond (Prunus dulcis) shell. Cellulose 21:1619–1629. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-014-0238-y
Wang H, Wang F, Guanben D et al (2018) Walnut meal as formaldehyde-free adhesive for plywood panels. BioResources 13:4301–4309
Yang X, Zhang YP, Chen D et al (2001) Eye irritation caused by formaldehyde as an indoor air pollution—a controlled human exposure experiment. Biomed Environ Sci 14:229–236
Zhou S, Strømme M, Xu C (2019) Highly transparent, flexible, and mechanically strong nanopapers of cellulose nanofibers @metal–organic frameworks. Chem A Eur J 25:3515–3520. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201806417
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and COST Action FP1205 through STSM FP1205-35995. The authors thank for technical and human support provided by SGIker of UPV/EHU for SEM characterizations.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gumowska, A., Kowaluk, G., Labidi, J. et al. Barrier properties of cellulose nanofiber film as an external layer of particleboard. Clean Techn Environ Policy 21, 2073–2079 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-019-01760-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-019-01760-7