Nanocellulose-Reinforced Adhesives for Wood-Based Panels

Abstract

Considering that the solid wood, being a heterogeneous and anisotropic product, presents several disadvantages such as unsatisfactory mechanical properties for certain uses and limitations of wood due to dimensions of wood pieces, reconstituted wood products have been developed by gluing of veener, boards, lignocellulosic fibers, etc., which are joined using adhesives. It should be noted that changes in adhesion to wood are desirable in terms of performance improvement and adhesive economy. Within the constant search for better performance of adhesives, the use of nanocelluloses appears as a viable option. Further, identification of reinforcement of adhesives with nanocellulose is being considered as an opportunity among the several opportunities offered by nanotechnology for the forest products industry. Use of nanocelluloses as reinforcements in adhesives for the production of reconstituted wood panels has several benefits such as possibility of altering the properties of adhesives, gain in mechanical and physical properties of panels and reduction in formaldehyde emissions by panels using synthetic adhesives. Accordingly, this chapter discusses the main types of reconstituted wood panels, types and characteristics of the adhesives employed, aspects that influence the bonding and use of additives in the glue mixture. Besides, it also addresses the use of nanocellulose and its effects on the properties of reconstituted wood panels. Despite all the advantages emntioned above, the Chapter ends with the conclusion that there are still some problems to be looked into suggesting need for more research either in the application of nanocellulose and its modification in different types of resin, as well as application technologies appropriate to the new conditions of the adhesives.