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Hydroxymethyl furfural-modified urea–formaldehyde resin: synthesis and properties

European Journal of Wood and Wood Products volume 75, pages 71–80 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Considering the importance of urea–formaldehyde (UF) resins in the wood industry, this work reports on a new bio-based modification of UF resins. The use of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) is motivated by the current concerns about the effects of formaldehyde on human health. UF and urea–HMF–formaldehyde (UHF) resins were synthesized by an alkaline-acid method and characterized by FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The UHF, as a newly modified polymeric resin, was thermally characterized, and it was found that its thermo-stability and char yield was improved. In order to investigate the performance of the UHF, the preparation of particleboards with the UHF as adhesive, as well as its film formation ability have been studied. The UHF films formed on wood panels were uniform without any crack. Film formation ability of the UHF resin was improved due to the presence of more hydroxyl groups as well as furan rings of the HMF moieties resulting in more activated groups to be bonded by wood. Furthermore, formaldehyde release of the particleboards bonded by UHF was significantly lower than that of which bonded by the UF resin. Lab particleboards using the UHF resins showed higher modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and internal bond compared to boards with UF resins, as well as lower water absorption and thickness swelling. Based on these results UHF resin can be considered as a possible candidate as adhesive for wood and wood based panels.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are very much obliged to one of the reviewers due to his/her highly informative and deep comments causing evolutionary improvement of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adhesive and Resin Department, Polymer Processing Faculty, Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, PO Box 14965-115, Tehran, Iran

    N. Esmaeili, M. J. Zohuriaan-Mehr, S. Mohajeri, K. Kabiri & H. Bouhendi

  2. Biomass Conversion Science and Technology (BCST) Division, Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, PO Box 14965-115, Tehran, Iran

    M. J. Zohuriaan-Mehr & K. Kabiri

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  1. N. Esmaeili
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  2. M. J. Zohuriaan-Mehr
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  3. S. Mohajeri
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  4. K. Kabiri
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  5. H. Bouhendi
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Correspondence to M. J. Zohuriaan-Mehr.

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Esmaeili, N., Zohuriaan-Mehr, M.J., Mohajeri, S. et al. Hydroxymethyl furfural-modified urea–formaldehyde resin: synthesis and properties. Eur. J. Wood Prod. 75, 71–80 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-016-1072-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-016-1072-8

Keywords

  • Formaldehyde Emission
  • Gelation Time
  • Char Yield
  • Furan Ring
  • Medium Density Fiberboard