Scented solutions: Harnessing lavender essential oil liposomes for enhanced plywood performance

Abstract

A wood-based panel that is both healthy and environmentally friendly has been developed utilizing the aromatic odor emitted by lavender essential oil. Liposomes were employed to encapsulate the lavender essential oil, resulting in a favorable loading effect and facilitating the control of odor release. Chitosan was used to encapsulate the lavender essential oil liposomes and then cross-linked with phosphate ions to form hydrogel balls, which improved the antioxidant performance and thermal stability of the lavender essential oil liposomes, achieving a 100 % encapsulation rate at optimal dosages. In order to investigate the effect of composite liposomes on the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause odors, plywood was used as the subtract for their application. Panels treated with essential oil liposome hydrogel spheres exhibited improved mechanical properties, with a 4.3 % increase in average MOR and a 15.7 % increase in average bonding strength compared to control panels. The release of aromatic VOCs was prolonged after plywood had been treated with essential oil liposome hydrogel balls, but the release of phenolic odor VOCs was significantly suppressed. This study provides a new solution for reducing plywood odor emissions.