Improvement of physical properties of jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) through the impregnation of nano-SiO2 and melamin formaldehyde furfuril alcohol copolymer

Wood polymer nano composites (WPnC) based on nano-SiO2 were prepared by the impregnation of nano-SiO2 and melamine formaldehyde-furfuryl alcohol copolymer. The objectives of this research were to analyze the effect of impregnation of nano-SiO2 and Melamine Formaldehyde Furfuryl Alcohol (MFFA) copolymers on the physical properties of jabon wood and to characterize treated jabon wood. Impregnation method improved the physical properties of jabon wood. Density of jabon become 0.56 g/cm(3), weight percent gain (WPG) is 68.34%, Anti-Swelling Efficiency (ASE) is 46.66%, bulking effect (BE) is 7.55%, water uptake (WU) is 75.49%. WPnC composites were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), XRD (X-ray Diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and SEM-EDX (Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy). FTIR results showed that the Si-O-Si asymmetric stretching vibration hand slighty shifts toward a higher wave number. It indicated a reaction between nano-SiO2 and wood. XRD studies indicated a decrease in crystallinity of the composites. SEM images observed distribution of nano SiO2 in the composites.