Multiple Analysis and Characterization of Novel and Environmentally Friendly Feather Protein-Based Wood Preservatives

Abstract

In this study, feather was used as the source of protein and combined with copper and boron salts to prepare wood preservatives with nano-hydroxyapatite or nano-graphene oxide as nano-carriers. The treatability of preservative formulations, the changes of chemical structure, micromorphology, crystallinity, thermal properties and chemical composition of wood cell walls during the impregnation and decay experiment were investigated by retention rate of the preservative, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electronic microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermoanalysis (TG), and confocal Raman microscopy (CRM) techniques. Results revealed that the preservatives (particularly with nano-carrier) successfully penetrated wood blocks, verifying the enhanced effectiveness of protein-based preservative with nano-carrier formulations. Decay experiment demonstrated that the protein-based wood preservative can remarkably improve the decay resistance of the treated wood samples, and it is an effective, environmentally friendly wood preservative. Further analysis of these three preservative groups confirmed the excellent function of nano-hydroxyapatite as a nano-carrier, which can promote the chelation of preservatives with higher content of effective preservatives.

Advances in Wood Composites II

“…Xia et al [35] used feather as a source of protein in combination with copper and boron salts, and they made wood preservatives using nano-hydroxyapatite or nano-graphene oxide as nano-carriers. The results revealed that the penetration into the wood structure was successful, and it was concluded, based on the decay experiments, that the protein-based preservatives had the potential to be considered as a low-cost and environmental friendly alternative for wood preservation.…”

Lignin–Propiconazole Nanocapsules are an Effective Bio-Based Wood Preservative

“…Nonetheless, the leaching rates in new preservative formulations containing copper, such alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) and copper boron azole (CBA), are at least 10 times higher than CCA. , The leaching of these preservatives causes groundwater and soil contamination. Additionally, the currently available water-soluble, organic preservatives are either not potent enough and need to be paired with a secondary preservative, such as the copper azole type c (CA-C) preservative, or require high concentrations, such as in the case of boron-based preservatives, which are prone to leaching . Organic triazoles, such as propiconazole and triadimefon, are approved by the U.S. EPA for use in above ground applications.…”

“…However, though propiconazole has demonstrated antifungal activity, it has modest solubility in water, which limits its concentration in water-borne preservative systems. There is a need for low-cost, bio-based, effective, nonhazardous, and biologically and environmentally friendly preservatives that easily penetrate and fixate to the wood …”

“…Additionally, the currently available watersoluble, organic preservatives are either not potent enough and need to be paired with a secondary preservative, such as the copper azole type c (CA-C) preservative, or require high concentrations, such as in the case of boron-based preservatives, which are prone to leaching. 8 Organic triazoles, such as propiconazole and triadimefon, are approved by the U.S. EPA for use in above ground applications. The mechanism of action of propiconazole involves inhibiting the demethylation of a crucial component in the formation of ergosterols, without which the fungi cannot form their cell walls, thus inhibiting colony growth.…”

Innovative Sustainable Wood Preservatives From Pulp and Paper Industry Byproduct

“…A few ways researchers have been able to resolve the issue of leaching is by enzymatic polymerization of wood extractives with the lignin contained in the wood [9] and, by employing nanoparticles [10]. However, there is still a need for low-cost, effective, non-hazardous, biologically and environmentally friendly preservatives that easily penetrate the wood [11].…”