The behaviour of “liquid wood” when exposed to some physico-chemical factors

Abstract

Abstract Because of an ever-increasing demand of non-toxic, biodegradable, naturally-sourced materials and products, the human society is always searching for new materials with specific applications, which are able to fulfil the above-mentioned requirements. Consequently, it is essential to identify the qualities of these materials and their behaviour when subjected to various external factors, in order to find their optimal solutions for application in various domains. Such a material, obtained from renewable resources, is known as “liquid wood”, a material which exhibits composite polymer-like properties, having a lignin matrix. “Liquid wood” can be found in three different forms: Arboform, Arbofill and Arboblend, depending on the natural substances (besides or associated with lignin), which are to be found in the material – resins, wax, vegetable fibres etc. As such, “liquid wood” has been subjected to various external factors, the aim being to determine the degradation of the material when acted upon by environmental factors. Thus, “liquid wood” has been immersed in distilled water and then in an alkaline environment and in an acid environment for 210 days. Measurements were periodically performed to determine the mass variation and the change of electrical properties when subjected to the specific environmental factors and to UV radiation. The changes were determined by comparison with standard samples. Following this study, it has been observed that the main degradation factor is water, which leads to cracking and then fracture in the material. Furthermore, significant changes have been observed in the electrical properties of the material and in the pH of the environments in which it has been immersed. These observations lead to the idea that the material is hydrophilic. The results obtained following the immersion of “liquid wood” in distilled water and then in an alkaline environment and in an acid environment point towards some of the possible application of this material in various fields of activity, which may have a significant positive impact upon the environment.