Utilisation of silica from bamboo leaves Ash and modification with m-Toluoyl chloride in shellac; It’s microbial effect on pulai wood

Abstract

The Gigantochloa albociliata species of bamboo leaves, were used in this study as a source of silica. One of the largest agricultural biomass wastes is bamboo leaves, which contain a silica content about 17 to 23% by weight. Amorphous silica is not frequently used in the wood-altering or timber-related industries. The purpose of this study is to characterize the silica extracted from bamboo leaves (BLA silica), immobilise it with selected biocide (m-Toluoyl chloride) and its application using shellac for moisture content and anti-microbial test on wood which is Alstonia scholaris. The application on wood with the biocide encapsulated with BLA silica + shellac (Bio-BLA + ) produced were compare with shellac, sodium silicate of BLA (BLA-Na2SiO3), and control (untreated). BLA silica was successfully extracted using the sol–gel method. It was functionalised with m-Toluoyl chloride and biocide encapsulated with Silica from BLA (Bio-BLA silica) was produced. The sample than applied onto wood and characterised using FTIR, SEM, XRD and EDS. The success of biocide ligands in a silica framework has been confirmed by spectroscopic characterisation. The amorphous structure of silica was conforming by XRD at 2θ = 23 peak and the porous structure of sample by SEM. Based on moisture content results, the BLA-Na2SiO3 give the higher result after 48 h which is 7.69% of moisture absorbent and follow by untreated, shellac and Bio-BLA +. While for the fungal growth rate, the result of Bio-BLA + after two weeks is the most effective (0–1) rate compare to others. The amorphous BLA silica are the best absorbent and it became more effective as biocide for wood when encapsulate with biocide and shellac (Bio-BLA + ). BLA refers to Bamboo Leaves Ash, Bio-BLA refers to Biocide with Bamboo Leaves Ash.