Preparing highly durable bamboo materials via bulk furfurylation. (30th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Wanju; Liu, Minghui; Zhai, Hongbo; Wang, Hankun; Yu, Yan
• Is Part Of: Construction & building materials. Volume 262(2021)
• Publication Date: 2020-11-30
• Subjects: Bamboo -- Furfurylation -- Physical-mechanical properties -- Biological durability; Building materials -- Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120726
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0618

Abstract

Highlights: Furfurylation was demonstrated for the first time to be highly efficient for bamboo modification due to the high permeability of furfural alcohol (FA). The modified bamboo was found to be highly resistant to mold, decay fungi and termites with low FA weight percentage gain (WPG). The mechanical properties of furfurylated bamboo could be moderately enhanced at low FA concentrations. Abstract: Bamboo is an important sustainable material for construction industry due to its combined advantages of easy availability, fast renewability, and excellent mechanical performance. However, its low biological durability and poor treatability limit its use for structural and outdoor building material. In this study, highly durable bamboo materials were prepared through a facile modification process called bulk furfurylation for the first time. The modified bamboo was found to be highly mold resistant and exhibited strong resistance to decay fungi and termites with a furfuryl alcohol (FA) weight percentage gain (WPG) as low as 10%. A strong positive correlation was detected between WPG and termite resistance, but not for mold or decay resistance. The mechanical properties of the furfurylated bamboo were moderately enhanced at low FA concentrations and were much less affected by curing temperature and time. Based on these results, it is concluded the furfurylated bamboo would have wide application in construction.