Copper Ethanolamine Research Articles

Assessment of Fungal Resistance and Preservative Retention in Microwave-Pretreated Norway Spruce Wood

This study investigates the effectiveness of microwave treatment (MW) on the antifungal properties of Norway spruce wood and the leaching of preservatives. Given the environmental and health concerns about conventional wood preservatives, this study evaluates microwave treatment as a sustainable pretreatment to limit the leaching of preservatives from wood. In the experiment, wood samples were treated with microwaves at five different energy levels before being impregnated with copper–ethanolamine- and boron-based preservatives. We assessed preservative retention by leaching tests and assessed the resistance of the wood to fungal attack. The results show that MW treatment improves the uptake and fixation of preservatives, reduces leachability, and significantly improves the durability of an otherwise perishable wood against fungal attack. This study emphasises the potential of microwave treatment for wood preservation. It offers an environmentally friendly approach to extending the life of wood products while maintaining their protective properties against decay.

Unraveling the permeation-enhancing effect of didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC) on poplar wood (Populus cathayana Rehd.)

ABSTRACT Wood is a sustainable, porous material with a diverse range of applications. However, the low permeability of liquids within wood poses significant challenges for the widespread application of advanced wood-based materials such as oil–water separation, as well as traditional chemical modification processes of wood. Surfactants exhibit potential to improve permeability of liquids within wood by effectively enhancing liquid wettability on solid surfaces. In this study, the effects of didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC) on liquid absorption of water and copper ethanolamine (CE) by wood were explored under atmospheric temperature and pressure. With an increase in concentration of DDAC, its promotion effect on liquid absorption of wood became more pronounced. The most notable enhancement was observed in wicking test where 0.10% DDAC increased liquid absorption of wood to water by 156.7% and to CE by 65.5%. The enhancement of liquid wettability on wood surface cannot be solely attributed to reduction of liquid surface tension, the adsorption of DDAC onto wood surface also plays a crucial role in this process. This study investigated the intrinsic mechanisms by which DDAC enhanced the permeability of liquids within wood, contributing to increased productivity and reduced energy consumption.

Revealing the behavior and mechanism of surfactant-assisted liquid permeability in Poplar wood

Wood is a sustainable and porous resource that can be utilized to fabricate advanced functional materials. However, the low permeability of liquids within wood poses a challenge to widespread adoption and implementation of technology for producing wood-based functional materials. Surfactants are capable of reducing surface tension of liquids, thus holding promise for enhancing liquid permeability in wood. The effect of four surfactants (JFC-U, Tween 80, OP-10, DDAC) on liquid absorption of copper ethanolamine (CE) in wood was investigated under room temperature and pressure. Surfactants effectively increased liquid absorption of wood up to 2.3 times and weight percent gain by up to 5.8 times compared with that of CE control. The improvement effect of surfactants resulted from three aspects: significantly improved liquid wetting on wood surface, enhanced penetration of liquid in cell lumen, and promoted molecular movement within cell wall. Their contributions varied with the structure of surfactants. Surfactants with linear structure showing significantly reduced surface tension, and cationic surfactants exhibiting high adsorption capacity on wood surface both demonstrated superior efficacy in increasing liquid permeability. This study explored the mechanisms by which surfactants affect liquid permeability within wood, while also provided guidance to select effective surfactants to assist wood impregnation.

Management of Pythium myriotylum in Tobacco Transplant Production Greenhouses

Pythium root rot is a common disease that can threaten tobacco seedling production in greenhouses. However, management tools are limited in tobacco transplant production greenhouses. To identify additional Pythium control options, oomyceticide treatments (ethaboxam, mefenoxam, and copper ethanolamine complex) and nonoomyceticide (ultraviolet light and copper ion) water treatments were compared with etridiazole and an untreated control on TN 90LC tobacco seedlings inoculated with Pythium myriotylum in greenhouses. All the treatments in oomyceticide trials were applied to the bay water once before inoculation, when seedling roots had extended into the water. The inoculum was applied immediately before seeding in nonoomyceticide trials, in which etridiazole was applied to bay water once, 2 weeks after seeding, as a positive control. Nonoomyceticide treatments were applied three times: 24 h before, 2 weeks after, and 4 weeks after seeding. At the end of the tobacco transplant production season, ethaboxam and mefenoxam significantly (P < 0.05) reduced root rot incidence and severity by as much as 100%, compared with the untreated control. Ethaboxam and mefenoxam also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced oospores produced in infected root tissues while significantly (P < 0.05) increasing root length and weight. Ultraviolet radiation and copper ion treatments had no significant effects on tobacco seedling root length or weight compared with the untreated control, although the copper ion treatments significantly (P < 0.05) reduced root rot severity and oospores produced in root tissues. Similar to etridiazole, ethaboxam and mefenoxam consistently reduced the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) of Pythium root rot, but copper ion treatments only reduced AUDPC significantly (P < 0.05) in one trial.

Microcystin-LR Degradation Following Copper-Based Algaecide Exposures

When copper-based algaecides are used in aquatic systems to decrease cyanobacteria densities, endotoxin fate is a concern, due to the potential for human health and ecological risks. Pulse exposures of algaecides can result in episodic low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations (< 2 mg L−1), due to oxygen consumed via microbial oxidation of algal detritus. Research objectives of this study were to determine the influence of declining DO levels on microcystin-LR (MC-LR) degradation and changes in resident bacterial assemblages. It was hypothesized that cyanobacteria cell densities would be positively correlated with rates and extents of DO decline based on the oxygen required for bacteria to degrade cyanobacteria detritus following exposure to copper-based algaecides. In addition, it was hypothesized that total MC-LR concentrations would increase proportionally with increasing cyanobacteria cell densities. Mesocosm experiments were conducted in a pond in Anderson, SC, that frequently experiences cyanobacteria blooms. Three densities of a cyanobacteria assemblage were exposed to a copper ethanolamine algaecide. DO and total MC-LR concentrations were measured with time following algaecide exposures to determine rates and extents of declines. As anticipated, DO concentrations had the highest rate of decline in the highest cell density treatment, followed by medium and low cell densities. MC-LR degradation occurred at similar rates (half-lives 1 to 1.9 days) among cell densities. Acinetobacter and Aeromonas were dominant in treatments following copper exposures. The relationship between cyanobacteria densities and MC-LR half-lives demonstrates the benefits of managing cyanobacteria in early growth stages to minimize MC concentrations.

The enhancement performances of cotton stalk fiber/PVC composites by sequential two steps modification

ABSTRACTIn the present study, the cotton stalk fiber (CSF) was modified by sequential two steps of alkali and copper ethanolamine (CE) solution treatment. The unmodified and modified CSF/poly(vinyl chloride) (CSF/PVC) composites were prepared. The mechanical and physical performances of the various CSF/PVC composites were studied comparatively. By the modification of CE solution, all the tensile strength, tensile modulus, impact strength, water resistance, and heat distortion temperature of samples were enhanced continuously. The sample with comprehensive properties was obtained using 2% concentration of CE. The composites were also prepared with different CSF content. By increasing the CSF loading, all the tensile strength, elongation at breakage, tensile modulus, and heat distortion temperature of samples were enhanced. The existence of copper on the surface of CSF improved the thermal stability of the CSF/PVC composites. Water retention value, oil retention value, and scanning electron microscope were applied to reveal the components and microscopic change of the composites. The possible reaction mechanism of modification was proposed based on the experimental results and according to the previous literature. This method reported here may provide a new way for the fabrication of CSF/PVC composite in engineering applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46090.

Characterization of Copper Algaecide (Copper Ethanolamine) Dissipation Rates Following Pulse Exposures

Dissipation rates of copper following algaecide treatments resulting in pulse exposures can be accurately modeled if the component dissipation rates are known. Scaled experiments (in situ, laboratory and mesocosm) were used to parse and rank dominant processes from concurrent processes affecting copper fate in pulse exposures. Copper dissipation rates were measured cumulatively in situ and in mesocosms as well as individually in laboratory experiments. Predictions of the influence of individual dissipation rates on the cumulative dissipation rate were assessed mathematically. In situ aqueous copper dissipated rapidly following an algaecide treatment, with a measured half-life of 0.03 days. Based on laboratory experiments, the most rapid copper fate process was dilution with a half-life of 0.03 days, followed by sediment sorption with a half-life of approximately 3 days. Mesocosm experiments incorporating physical characteristics of the site (i.e., dilution, sediment, algae, and site water) resulted in similar copper dissipation rates (0.02 days) relative to the in situ copper dissipation rate. Prediction of the fate of copper from algaecide treatments requires incorporation of accurate estimates of dominant fate processes that can be determined physically and mathematically.

Extraction and Hydrophobic Modification of Cotton Stalk Bark Fiber

Cotton stalk bark fiber (CSBF) was extracted at high temperature and under high pressure, under the condition of the alkali content of 11 wt%. Experimental results proved that the extraction yield of CSBF was 27.3 wt%, and the residual alkali concentration was 2.1 wt%. Then five kinds of modifiers including methyl methacrylate (MMA), MMA plus initiator, epoxy propane, copper ethanolamine, and silane coupling agent were chosen to modify the surface of CSBF. It was found by measuring water retention value (WRV) that these five kinds of modifiers were all effective and the silane coupling agent was best modifier among all. The optimal modifying conditions of silane coupling agent were obtained: modifier concentration was 5%, the mixing temperature was 20°C, the mixing time was 1 h, and vacuum drying time was 1 h. Under the optimal condition, the WRV of the modified CSBF was 89%. It is expected that these modified CSBF may be a filler with strengthening effect in wood plastic composites (WPC) fields.

Isolation and characterization of mold fungi and insects infecting sawmill wood, and their inhibition by gamma radiation

Abstract This article describes the isolation, identification, and characterization of wood-rotting fungi and insects, and their inhibition was studied using gamma radiation. Products manufactured from plantation timber species are deteriorated by wood-rotting fungi such as Hypocrea lixii, Fusarium proliferatum, and Aspergillus flavus, and insects such as powderpost beetles. Proper preservation methods are necessary for ensuring a long service life of wood products. In this study, wood samples were treated with 2.5% copper ethanolamine boron (CEB) (10% w/v) and subsequently irradiated with gamma rays (10 kGy). It was observed that CEB-treated and gamma-irradiated samples controlled fungi and powderpost beetles significantly. As wood is a dead organic material, penetration of chemicals into it is very difficult. Gamma rays easily pass through wooden objects with hidden eggs and dormant spores of insects and fungi, respectively. Gamma irradiation was proved very effective in reducing damage caused by both fungi and insects.

Effects of two copper compounds on Microcystis aeruginosa cell density, membrane integrity, and microcystin release

Microcystin release following Microcystis aeruginosa cell lysis after copper-based algaecide treatment is often cited as a concern leading to restricted use of algaecide in restoration of natural water resources. To examine this concern, bench-scale experiments were conducted to study responses of M. aeruginosa to 8-day copper exposures as copper sulfate and copper–ethanolamine (Cu–EA). M. aeruginosa UTEX 2385 was cultured in BG11 medium to cell density of 106cells/mL with total and extracellular microcystin of 93 and 53μg/L, respectively. Exposures of copper concentration ranged from 40 to 1000μgCu/L. Cell membrane integrity was indicated by erythrosine B. In the end of experiment, total microcystin and cell density in untreated control (313μg/L and 107cells/mL) was 3.3 and 10 times greater than pretreatment value, respectively. Minimum amount of copper required to reduce M. aeruginosa population within 8 days was 160μgCu/L as copper sulfate and 80μgCu/L as Cu–EA, where total and extracellular microcystin concentrations (47 and 44μg/L for copper sulfate; 56 and 44μg/L for Cu–EA) were degraded with degradation rate coefficient 0.1 day−1 and were less than pretreatment values. Given a copper concentration at 80µgCu/L as Cu–EA, M. aeruginosa cells were intact and less microcystin were released compared to treatments at 160–1000µgCu/L, where lysed cells and relatively greater microcystin release were observed. Based on the laboratory results, a minimum amount of copper required for reducing M. aeruginosa population could decrease total microcystin concentration and not compromise cells and minimize microcystin release.

Evaluation of Copper Ethanolamine Boron to control white rot on Rubber wood

In the present study, efficacy of Copper-Ethanolamine-Boron (CEB) against white rot fungus has been evaluated. CEB (10%w/v) was tested at various concentration levels viz., 2.5 and 3% against white rot. From the results of the toxicity study, it was found that the lethal dose of CEB to control the attack of white rot was 2.5%. In India, this is the first report of utilising Copper Ethanolamine Boron in wood to control the wood destroying fungus i.e. white rot.

Evaluation of Copper Ethanolamine Boron Based Wood Preservative to Control Wood Destroying Insects

In the present study, efficacy of Copper-Ethanolamine-Boron (CEB) against powder post beetle and subterranean termite has been evaluated. The methodology adopted for the treatment of solid wood was by way of dipping and for plywood by glue line poisoning. CEB (10% w/v) was tested at various concentration levels viz., 2.5%, 3% and 5% against wood destroying insects. From the results of the toxicity study, it has been found that the lethal dose of CEB to control the attack of powder post beetle and subterranean termite was 2.5% in both the methods. In India, this is the first report of replacing chromium with Ethanolamine to fix the Copper and Boron in wood to control the wood destroying insects.

Evaluation of Copper Ethanolamine Boron Based Wood Preservative to Control Wood Destroying Insects

Evaluation of Copper Ethanolamine Boron Based Wood Preservative to Control Wood Destroying Insects

Choice tests and neighbor effects during fungal brown rot of copper- and non-treated wood

In previous work, a ‘choice’ test was used to test wood durability in mixtures of wood types. Results demonstrated that a filamentous fungus (Gloeophyllum trabeum) made a ‘choice,’ degrading white pine significantly less when less-durable woods were readily available. For this experiment, we substituted white pine with copper-treated pine and used three fungi (G. trabeum, Serpula himantioides, and Wolfiporia cocos) representing a range of copper tolerances. Southern pine blocks treated commercially with micronized copper azole or treated in-house using copper ethanolamine were used as treated wood substrates. Trials were soil-block tests, using two-block combinations to include non-treated, non-durable pine or as single-block treatments. After 12 weeks of decay, copper tolerance by S. himantioides and W. cocos was evident while G. trabeum was not copper tolerant. Availability of non-durable pine blocks, however, had no effect on decay in copper-treated wood. This contrasts with our past results using white pine. The reason for the discrepancy may relate to fungal mechanisms of copper tolerance (e.g., constitutive oxalic acid secretion) which may differ from mechanisms to overcome extractives in white pine. More fungal research using choice trials to assess these ‘neighbor effects’ is logical, given increased use of mixed, composite, and hybrid materials.

Assessing the relative bioavailability of copper to fungi degrading treated wood

Copper is ubiquitous as a biocide component in wood preservatives. Some fungi detoxify copper by immobilizing copper ions with oxalate, decreasing its physiological availability (bioavailability). Decreases in copper bioavailability may also occur during wood treatment. To date, however, copper retention in wood has been measured as overall weight-to-volume concentration without an estimate of its bioavailability and without assessment of its relative contribution to preservative efficacy. Here, we gauge the bioavailability of copper ions in treated wood by using oxalate to pre-treat wood prior to colonization by a moderately copper-tolerant fungus. Copper-treated wood was treated with a gradient of sodium oxalate concentrations, rinsed thoroughly, and exposed in soil-block jars to an isolate of Serpula himantioides. Wood treated with copper ethanolamine was extremely effective in preventing decay by S. himantioides, but toxicity could repeatedly be overcome above a threshold level of oxalate pretreatment. In agar plates, copper-treated wood stimulated oxalate production by S. himantioides, but levels were less than those needed (>10 mM) to overcome copper in soil-block jars. This capacity to overcome copper using an oxalate pretreatment was absent in commercially available samples treated with co-biocide(s). Results demonstrate a useful relative measure of copper bioavailability, with potential to be modified for specific quantification.

Characterization of the surface and the interphase of PVC–copper amine-treated wood composites

Contact angles and surface energy of wood, as well as interfacial shear strength between wood and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were investigated and used to monitor the modifications generated on the surfaces of wood treated with a copper ethanolamine solution. An increase in surface energy of wood after treatments promotes wetting of PVC on wood surfaces. Improved interfacial shear strength between treated wood and PVC matrix can be attributed to the formation of a stronger wood–PVC interphase. This suggests that treatment may be used to improve the adhesion between wood surface and PVC in the formulation of wood fiber composites to yield products with enhanced mechanical properties and better biological and physical performance against decay and insect destroying wood.

Weathering of copper–amine treated wood

In this study, the effect of ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation and water spray on color, contact angle and surface chemistry of treated wood was studied. Southern pine sapwood ( Pinus Elliottii.Engelm.) treated with copper ethanolamine (Cu-MEA) was subjected to artificially accelerated weathering with a QUV Weathering Tester. The compositional changes and the surface properties of the weathered samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, color and contact angle measurements. FTIR indicated that MEA treatment was not found to slow down wood weathering. FTIR spectrum of MEA-treated sample was similar to that of the untreated SP. However, the Cu-MEA treatment retarded the surface lignin degradation during weathering. The main changes in FTIR spectrum of Cu-MEA treatment took place at 915, 1510, and 1595 cm −1. The intensity of the bands at 1510 and 1595 cm −1 increased with the Cu-MEA treatment. Both untreated and MEA-treated exhibited higher Δ E than the Cu-MEA treated samples, indicating that MEA treatment did not retard color changes. However, Δ E decreased with increasing copper concentration, suggesting a positive contribution of Cu-EA to wood color stability. The contact angle of untreated and MEA-treated samples changed rapidly, and dropped from 75 ± 5° to 0° after artificial weathering up to 600 h. Treatment with Cu-MEA slowed down the decreasing in contact angle. As the copper concentration increases, the rate of change in contact angle decreases.

Inability to assess the safety of chromium (III) and copper (II) ethanolamine phosphate added for nutritional purposes to food supplements based on the supporting dossier

Inability to assess the safety of chromium (III) and copper (II) ethanolamine phosphate added for nutritional purposes to food supplements based on the supporting dossier

Fungicidal properties of individual components of copper–ethanolamine-based wood preservatives

The importance of copper–ethanolamine-based wood preservatives is increasing. These preservatives usually consist of copper as a fungicide, ethanolamine as a fixative, and secondary fungicides (boron, triazoles) and other additives (water repellents, fixatives, wax emulsions, etc.). Questions arise as to how each of these ingredients interacts with wood-decay fungi, and whether there are any synergistic effects between the components. In order to elucidate these questions, Norway spruce wood specimens were impregnated with five different aqueous solutions consisting of one single component only and of complete formulation of five different concentrations. These specimens were exposed to two brown-rot fungi, Antrodia vaillantii and Gloeophyllum trabeum, as well as to the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor for 8 weeks according to mini block procedure. In parallel, petri dishes with nutrient medium containing different quantities of ingredients and of complete wood preservative were inoculated with the same fungal species, and their growth was compared with growth on media without chemicals. The results showed that both experimental methods give similar results. In general, there was no synergistic effect determined. Ethanolamine did not decrease fungicidal properties of the system, while on the other hand octanoic acid has a positive effect on the growth of brown-rot fungi. The minimal effective concentration of tested copper–ethanolamine preservative was determined by the minimum effective concentration of the most fungi-toxic ingredient.

Effects of UV light irradiation on colour stability of thermally modified, copper ethanolamine treated and non-modified wood: EPR and DRIFT spectroscopic studies

A series of experiments were carried out to investigate the colour stability of chemically treated and thermally modified wood compared to non-modified wood during long term artificial UV light irradiation. One set of wood samples was vacuum-pressure impregnated with alkaline (pH 9.8) copper (II) ethanolamine aqueous solution, while another set of samples from the same wood block was thermally modified at 210°C and −0.90 bar for 2 h. The treated and modified wood samples along with the non-modified ones were exposed to artificial UV light with the wave length in the region of UVA (315–400 nm) and UVB (280–315 nm) intermittently for 500 h. Colour measurements were carried out throughout the irradiation period at an interval of 100 h according to CIEL*a*b* system, where the results are presented in terms of ΔE, ΔL*, Δa* and Δb* values. Better photo-stability in terms of colour changes was recorded for both treated and modified woods compared to the non-modified one. By means of EPR and DRIFT spectroscopic study it was shown that some degree of colour stability of treated and modified woods, achieved during artificial UV light irradiation, resulted from lignin modifications and monomers of phenolic compounds.