Synergistic Effects of Nanoclay and Furfuryl Alcohol on Performance of Wood/Polymer Nanocomposites (WPNCs)

This study proposes a green and facile method by combining furfuryl alcohol (FA) and organic montmoril-lonite (OMMT) to solve the undesirable intrinsic properties and improve the performance of fast-growing wood. Wood/FA/OMMT nanocomposites (WPNCs) were fabricated by vacuum-pressure impregnation of FA/OMMT solution into wood cavities with the following in situ polymerization to generate an interpenetrating network structure in cell structures. The FA and OMMT were distributed inside cell walls and transition areas between cell walls and cell lumens through SEM-EDXA and CLSM analyses. The resultant WPNCs had enhanced dimensional stability and water resistance ability. The incorporation of FA and OMMT could further improve the mechanical performance and the thermal stability of WPNCs. Therefore, FA/OMMT could synergistically enhance the performance of fast-growing wood.