The addition of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 nanoparticles) to a water-based varnish used for finishing tropical woods was studied. Three different concentrations of TiO 2 nanoparticles (0%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) were evaluated. The nanoparticles were characterized by means of the transmission electron microscopy and an X-ray diffractometer. The varnish prepared was evaluated for its viscosity, adhesion of the film to the wood, water absorption, and the effects of natural weathering on the color and quality of the varnish. It was found that viscosity decreases as the concentration of TiO 2 nanoparticles increases, while no variation was found in the thickness of the film. Except for Gmelina arborea and Tectona grandis, the adhesion was not statistically affected. It was found that, in the 9 species tested, incorporation of TiO 2 nanoparticles decreased the values of water absorption. The evaluation of natural weathering showed that the varnish with no added TiO 2 nanoparticles degraded completely after 1 year of weathering exposure, while the modified varnish film endured. Less color change was observed in lumber treated with the varnish containing TiO 2 nanoparticles. The best performance of the varnish in the nine tropical woods used was observed when TiO 2 nanoparticles were added at 1.5% concentration.

No abstract

Abstract:The purpose of the biomass torrefaction and pelletizing processes is to increase its energy properties, be environmentally friendly, decrease shipping costs, and make handling easier. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the density, internal density variation by X-ray densitometry, moisture content, water absorption, and compression force of torrefied biomass pellets of five wood species (Cupressus lusitanica, Dipterix panamensis, Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis, and Vochysia ferruginea) under three torrefaction temperature conditions (light, middle, and severe) and three torrefaction times (8, 10, and 12 min). The results showed that the bulk density of the pellets was 0.90-1.30 g/cm 3 . The density variation of the pellets was higher with torrefaction at 250 • C. The moisture content decreased with increasing torrefaction temperature from 3% to 1%. Water absorption was lower in the pellets torrefied at 250 • C. The compression force was lower in the pellets torrefied at 250 • C with approximate loads of 700 N. Based on the above results, it was concluded that pellets made with biomass torrefied at 200 • C have better energy properties and evaluated properties. According to these results, pellets fabricated with the torrefied biomass of tropical species can be used in stove, gas, and hydrogen production because the pellet presents adequate characteristics.

The aim of this study was to improve the bond strength resistance of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and ureaformaldehyde (UF) adhesives modified with nano-clay (montmorillonite) with a tropical species of wood known to exhibit adhesion related problems. These adhesives were evaluated with 1.0 and 1.5 wt% nanoclay concentrations with lap shear strength (SS), and the percentage of wood failure (PWF) in dry and wet conditions being evaluated. An additional aim of this study was to observe the presence of nano-clay within both adhesive types using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and the Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Color, viscosity and the thermostability of these adhesives with nano-clay were also evaluated. First, AFM and TEM studies showed adequate dispersion and impregnation of nano-clay. The viscosity of PVAc adhesive was not affected by the incorporation of nano-clay, whereas the UF adhesive was. With both PVAc and UF adhesives, the presence of nano-clay increased the L n and b n color parameters, especially when 1.5 wt% nano-clay was used. The incorporation of the nano-clay improved thermostability, as determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Finally, it was shown that the nano-clay incorporation improved SS and PWF. The highest values of SS were obtained when nano-clay was added at 1.5 wt% concentration in the PVAc adhesive under dry conditions. SS was not affected by nano-clay addition in the UF adhesive under dry conditions. However, under wet conditions, both 1.0 and 1.5 wt% loadings of nano-clay increased SS with both adhesive types. The addition of nano-clay in both proportions increased PWF by approximately 15% and between 20-30% in dry and wet conditions, respectively, for the PVAc adhesive. For the UF adhesive, PWF increased by approximately 10% under dry conditions and 25-50% in wet conditions.

Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus were used for the biopulping from pineapple leaf fiber (PALF). PALF substrate was subjected to T. versicolor for 2 to 6 weeks and to P. ostreatus for 4 to 8 weeks. The yields, holocellulose and lignin contents, and extractives in ethanol-toluene mixture and in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution were evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and color studies by L*a*b* systems were used for sample analysis. The results showed that the pulp yield was 55% to 70% with P. ostreatus and 35% to 50% with T. versicolor. Longer colonization periods increased the amount of holocellulose and decreased the amount of lignin and extractives in ethanol-toluene and NaOH solution. TGA showed an increase in intensity associated with cellulose, and the observed inflexion was attributed to lignin, which showed a tendency to fade. The FTIR spectrum showed high intensity between 3100 cm -1 and 3600 cm -1(cellulose) and decreased intensity at 1730 cm -1 (lignin). For both fungi, the pulp color produced an increase in L* color parameter and decreased in yellowness, while little variation was observed in redness. The most appropriate colonization period was 5 weeks for P. ostreatus and 4 weeks for T. versicolor.

We evaluated the thermogravimetric and devolatilization rates of hemicellulose and cellulose, and the calorimetric behavior of the torrefied biomass, of five tropical woody species (Cupressus lusitanica, Dipteryx panamensis, Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis and Vochysia ferruginea), at three temperatures (T T ) and three torrefaction times (t T ) using a thermogravimetric analyzer. Through a multivariate analysis of principal components (MAPC), the most appropriate torrefaction conditions for the different types of woody biomass were identified. The thermogravimetric analysis-derivative thermogravimetry (TGA-DTG) analysis showed that a higher percentage of the hemicellulose component of the biomass degrades, followed by cellulose, so that the hemicellulose energy of activation (Ea) was less than that of cellulose. With an increase in T T and t T , the Ea for hemicellulose decreased but increased for cellulose. The calorimetric analyses showed that hemicellulose is the least stable component in the torrefied biomass under severe torrefaction conditions, and cellulose is more thermally stable in torrefied biomass. From the MAPC results, the best torrefaction conditions for calorimetric analyses were at 200 and 225 • C after 8, 10, and 12 min, for light and middle torrefaction, respectively, for the five woody species.

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Nanotechnology applications have potential for improving decay resistance of wood under tropical conditions. In this work, nine commercial timbers from Costa Rica were treated with silver nanoparticles synthetized with NPsAg-ethylene glycol through pressure. White-rot (Trametes versicolor) and brown-rot (Lenzites acuta) fungi were tested. According to the results, the sizes of the synthetized silver nanoparticles were 40 to 100 nm. The retention achieved was of 16 to 112 mg of silver per kilogram of wood or 7.7 to 25.1 g of silver per cubic meter of wood. Specific gravity affected the retention in Cordia alliodora, Gmelina arborea, Goethalsia meiantha, Tectona grandis and Vochysia ferruginea. Loss of weight was less in wood treated with silver nanoparticles, its values ranging from 8% to 35% in L. acuta and 7% to 11% in T. versicolor. As for durability, the wood of the species treated with silver nanoparticles is classified as highly resistant to T. versicolor and moderately to moderately resistant to L. acuta. Moreover, the effect of retention of the nanoparticles was not significant for weight in all of the species. This parameter was positively affected in C. odorata, E. cyclocarpum, G. arborea, T. grandis and V. ferruginea, although unaffected for other species.