Comparative study of zein- and gluten-based wood adhesives containing cellulose nanofibers and crosslinking agent for improved bond strength

Abstract

Many of the currently used wood adhesives contain chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment. Increasing environmental and human health concerns have made the development of safe biobased adhesives a priority. In this study, two plant proteins, i.e., zein and wheat gluten, were used to develop wood adhesives and their performance was compared through simple lap shear tests and plywood flexural/internal bond tests in dry and wet conditions. To increase their bond strength, cellulose nanofibers were added to create nanocomposite adhesives and glutaraldehyde was also used to crosslink the proteins. Single-lap shear test was performed to measure the bond strength of different adhesive formulations and determine the optimal formulations and processing conditions. Fractured bond surfaces were studied using optical observation and scanning electron microscopy to determine bond failure mechanisms. Thermal and chemical properties of the adhesives were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The bond strength of both zein and gluten adhesives was significantly increased by the addition of the cellulose nanofibers and/or glutaraldehyde, although the two adhesives responded differently to the two reinforcement materials due to the different solvents used to prepare the adhesives. The bond failure mode changed from cohesive failure of the adhesive to structural failure of the adherent for the gluten adhesive containing CNFs and glutaraldehyde. Potential zein and gluten adhesive formulations were used to produce plywood samples and their performance was assessed under different conditions. The formulations with industrial potential were discovered through this study.