Preparation of synthetic wood composites using ionic liquids

Trevor J. Simmons, Sang Hyun Lee, Jianjun Miao, Minoru Miyauchi, Tae Joon Park, Shyam S. Bale, Ravi Pangule, Justin Bult, Jeffrey G. Martin, Jonathan S. Dordick, Robert J. Linhardt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

Synthetic wood composite films containing cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin, the three major components of natural wood, were prepared in a room temperature ionic liquid solvent, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [EMIM] [Ac]. Various synthetic wood composites were obtained by dissolution of individual wood components together with additives, including polyethylene glycol (PEG), chitosan, and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in [EMIM][Ac]. The addition of water affords a gel that was dried in either a low humidity environment or under vacuum. Synthetic wood films showed smoother surface textures, higher water resistance, and higher tensile strengths than cellulose films formed by the same methods. Tailor-made synthetic wood composites were also prepared having a variety of desirable properties, including antimicrobial activities, controlled hydrophobicity/ philicity, high relative dielectric constant, and a high degree of cohesiveness.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)719-733
Number of pages15
JournalWood Science and Technology
Volume45
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2011
Externally publishedYes

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