Biological resistance of nanoclay-treated plastic composites with different bamboo contents to three types of fungi

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of exposure of bamboo–plastic composites to three aggressive fungi species on mass loss values. Polyvinyl chloride was used as the synthetic matrix of the composite. Three mixing combinations were used for bamboo–polymer composites, namely 40/60, 50/50, and 60/40. The injection-molded process was employed to produce the composites. Specimens were prepared according to modified European standard specifications (EN-113) to be exposed to white-, brown-, and soft-rot fungi each month for 4 months. The results indicated that the soft-rot fungus ( Chaetomium globosum) generally caused higher mass losses in all bamboo/plastic combination ratios. Brown- and soft-rot fungi demonstrated different mass losses on different combination ratios. However, the white-rot fungus ( Trametes versicolor) caused nearly the same mass losses on all three combination ratios. Moreover, T. versicolor was highly significant with respect to mass loss and moisture content. It can therefore be concluded that the T. versicolor has a different decay metabolism when compared to the brown- and soft-rot fungus used in this study.

Engineering Composites Made from Wood and Chicken Feather Bonded with UF Resin Fortified with Wollastonite: A Novel Approach

“…The heat-transferring properties of metals and improving effects of different materials at micro-and nano-scales [12][13][14][15][16][17] were also found to decrease hot press time and to improve the physicomechanical properties in wood composites [6,18]. Under this frame, wollastonite (as a silicate mineral, CaSiO 3 ) was found to improve the biological and physicomechanical properties of both solid wood and wood based panels, as well as to improve the fire retardancy and to increase thermal conductivity coefficient in medium-density fiberboards (MDF) [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26], therefore, the first aim of the present study was to find out possible effects that wollastonite may have on physical and mechanical properties of two engineering wood composites, namely medium-density fiberboards and particleboards. Based on potential positive results of the addition of wollastonite on properties of composite panels in the present study, future studies on decreasing urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin content, or even using an eco-friendly resin within a green framework, would be predictable and should be carried out, similar to what was previously achieved by the application of tannin in wood-composite panels [27][28][29][30][31][32].…”

Antibacterial Effect of Eco-Friendly Silver Nanoparticles and Traditional Techniques on Aged Heritage Textile, Investigated by Dark-Field Microscopy

“…Over the past two decades, metal and mineral nanoparticles and nanostrands have been used to mitigate the susceptibility of biological materials to different bacteria and fungi [38][39][40][41]. Specifically, silver, copper, and zinc nanometals have been clearly reported to significantly improve the biological durability against different fungi [42,43].…”

Effects of Tool Tooth Number and Cutting Parameters on Milling Performance for Bamboo–Plastic Composite

“…BPC integrates the advantages of bamboo and plastic materials, such as high wear resistance, green construction and environmental protection, and good chemical and mechanical properties [2][3][4]. BPC is used in many fields, including in construction, packaging, furniture, and decoration [5][6][7]. Milling is widely used to form final products with differing sizes and shapes [8].…”