Boron fixation in wood: studies of fixation mechanisms using model compounds and maritime pine

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2006

Authors

Ana Ramos (Author) Other; Fernando Jorge (Author) Other; Cidália Botelho (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: European Journal of Wood and Wood Products/Holz als Roh - und Werkstoff

Vol. 64

Pages: 445-450

ISSN: 0018-3768

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 12 Citations

Scopus - 16 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology

CORDIS: Technological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-FPS

DOI: 10.1007/s00107-006-0139-3

Abstract (EN): The purpose of the research work reported in this paper was to study the kinetics and thermodynamics of reactions of some boron compounds with some simple wood model compounds and with maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.). The wood model compounds were selected in order to reproduce in a simple way the possible reactions boron may undergo with wood. Two boron compounds were tested with the wood: sodium tetraborate decahydrate (borax) and boric acid. Boron containing solutions applied to wood and model compounds were tested in such a way that they could lead to the insolubilization of boron or to its chemical fixation. Thermodynamics of boric acid fixation on the wood surface was studied. Results suggest that, even though boron reacts faster with polysaccharides than with lignin, all reactions are very slow at 20 degrees C. Adsorption should be the preferential mechanism for the bonding of boric acid to wood. This weak bond explains why boron tends to leach out from wood in wet conditions after conventional preservative treatments.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6