Waheed Gul

National University of Technology, Pakistan

Title: Application of advanced nanoparticles for enhancing the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)

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Biography

Dr. Waheed Gul endeavors to apply his accumulated experience in the field of Advanced nanoparticles to the generation of new hybrid Medium Density fiberboard (MDF) nanocomposites capable of controlling free formaldehyde emission to the environmental and labor pollutants. The aim of his studies is to obtain environmentally friendly MDF, stable in moisturized condition, have high physical and mechanical properties and applicable to the indoor as well as outdoor. In order to obtain real product on the capture capacity of the new nanocomposites, he collaborates with CIEL Woodworks pvt ltd Pakistan which performs production of MDF.

Abstract

Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is a processed wood sheet pressed under heated using urea formaldehyde (UF) resin as a binder. The density of MDF panels are is in the range of 670 – 750 kg/m3. The hot pressing time of MDF is associated with the curing time of urea formaldehyde resin. Generally, long curing time is needed for to the resin due to very low thermal conductivity of the natural wooden fibers. Researchers have made many attempts to improve the physical and mechanical properties of MDF. One of the sensitive disadvantage of MDF is the emission of free formaldehyde. Industries have already tried to control the formaldehyde emission by adding scavengers but the emission are controlled in a very less amount. Also scavengers have a draw back in reduction of internal bonding and modulus of rupture. Six different kinds of nanofillers such as iron oxide nanoparticles, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), aluminum oxide nanoparticles, Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles graphene and reduced graphene oxide nanoparticles are studied in this research work. These nanoparticles were added in urea formaldehyde resin to produced nano-MDF. The nanoparticles have enhanced the curing time of the resin and heat transfer phenomena. The effect of the nanofillers on the curing time, cross-link density of UF resin and visco-elastic properties were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravametic Analysis (TGA) and Dynamical Mechanical Analysis (DMA). To progress the spreading of nanofillers into UF matrix, high speed (2000 rpm) ultrasonic sonicator were used. The MWCNTs were oxidized with nitric acid and sulfuric acid and the functional groups shaped on its superficial improved the spreading and interface with UF matrix. The spreading of nanofillers in UF resin matrix was confirmed with XRD, FESEM, FTIR and DMA tests undertaken. The mixing of MWCNTs, Aluminum oxide, Zinc oxide, Graphene oxide and iron oxide with UF resin have reduced the curing time due to enhanced thermal conductivity of MDF matrix. The thermal conductivity of hot pressing of MDF improved significantly with the addition of MWCNTs and Al2O3, Iron oxide, zinc oxide and graphene oxide nanoparticles. The curing rate of UF resin improved with all the six nanofillers, as the stimulation energy of UF therapeutic reduced by the DSC consequences. The physical (thickness swelling, water absorption and mechanical properties (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and internal bonding of MDF have enhanced meaningfully with MWCNTs, graphene oxide and Al2O3 nanoparticles. The MWCNTs has significantly decreased the formaldehyde emission of MDF. Quasi-Static analysis of the MDF was also carried both numerically and experimentally and the results were characterized.