Open AccessImproving Hydrophobicity of Tropical Hardwood along Axial Positions
Author(s) -
Olaoluwa Adeniyi Adegoke,
Funke Grace Adebawo,
O. O. Ajala,
E. A. Adelusi,
A.J. Oloketuyi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of applied science and environmental management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2659-1499
pISSN - 2659-1502
DOI - 10.4314/jasem.v25i8.8
Subject(s) - hardwood , acetic anhydride , swelling , absorption of water , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , water vapor , chemistry , materials science , polymer chemistry , composite material , nuclear chemistry , horticulture , chemical engineering , botany , organic chemistry , biology , engineering , catalysis
Wood is hygroscopic and is considered dimensionally unstable materials when exposed to wet conditions. To increase the hydrophobicity of wood, this study focused on the modification of tropical hardwood (Triplochiton scleroxylon) along different positions of the stem using acetic anhydride The weight percent gain (WPG) was determined and acetylation reaction was confirmed with FTIR. The dimensional stability of the wood was characterized by water absorption (WA), volumetric swelling (VS), anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), and water repellent efficiency (WRE). Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance at α0.05. It was observed that the weight gain (WG) by acetylation increases along the axial position (base to top) of T. scleroxylon wood. IR-spectra confirmed properly the substitution of the acetyl group. The treatment resulted in a marked improvement in the WA and VS, ASE, and WRE of acetylated T. scleroxylon wood were also found to improve considerably from base to top of the wood. It could be said that the WPG and hydrophobicity increased, but the percentage of water absorption and volumetric swelling diminished. Hence, the modified wood showed good hydrophobicity and improved dimensional stability.