Liquefied wood polyols: Ecofriendly bio-based preservative for sustainable protection of wood from Termite attack

IRG/WP 18-10916

A Kumar, A John, T S Mehra, A K Pandey, S Singh Chauhan

The major problems encountered in both indoor and outdoor utilization of wood are biological decay due to termite. The modification of wood with liquefied wood polyols has been found to be effective against termite attack. The liquefaction of wood aims to utilize woody wastes which are being generated during primary and secondary processing of wood in wood based industry. One of promising approaches to utilizing these lignocellulosic wastes is its liquefaction for developing natural products having potential to use as bio based wood preservatives against biological enemies of timber like termite. In this study, woody waste recovered from wood based industry has been liquefied in different liquefying media in defined reaction condition to produce chemically active liquid which is being as wood preservatives for protection of wood from termite. The level of impregnation of preservative in wood was estimated by determining the weight percent gain and the modification was characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. The efficacy of bio-based preservatives on treated wood against termites was evaluated. The accelerated wood sample were impregnated with liquefied wood polyols and tested as per Indian Standard No.4873:1968 in graveyard for 24 months exposure in field conditions against termite. The periodical observation has been collected and after 24 months accelerated termite test shows promising results both in visual observation and percentage weight loss as compare to initial condition and control sample. Investigation shows that percentage weight loss of accelerated treated wood sample which is ranges from 5- 20% of its initial weight. The increased termite resistance of modified wood indicates liquefied wood polyols which bio- based wood preservatives has a promising potential reagent for modification of wood against natural wood decaying agents. The liquefaction of wood opens up new avenues for utilization of woody waste for development of organic preservative which is environmental friendly and also helps in reducing carbon foot print from the Earth to provides better greener and sustainable world for coming generation.


Keywords: Woody waste, liquefied wood, preservatives, wood decay fungi, termite

Conference: 18-04-29/05-03 Johannesburg, South Africa


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