The Physical and Magnetic Properties of Sengon (Falcataria moluccana) Wood Impregnated with Synthesized Magnetite Nanoparticles

Abstract

Sengon (Falcataria moluccana) is one of the fast-growing wood that dominates Indonesian plantation forests. The qualities and utilizations of sengon wood need to be improved and enlarged using magnetite nanoparticles. The research aims to examine the effects on the physical and magnetic properties of sengon wood after being treated by magnetite nanoparticle impregnation. Magnetite nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation method with a precursor solution of iron ions mixture and weak base (NH4OH). The treatments comprised untreated, 1%, and 5% magnetite nanoparticles. Weight percentage gain (WPG), bulking effect (BE), anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), and density tended to increase along with the increase in concentration. Analysis of variance showed that treatment significantly affected WPG, BE, ASE, and density of treated sengon wood. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis showed the existence of Fe deposition in the wood cell membranes. X-ray diffraction analysis observed the appearance of magnetic peaks in the diffractogram with the decrease of crystallinity and the increase in concentration. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analysis revealed Fe-O functional groups. Based on the vibrating sample magnetometry study, the sengon magnetic wood is classified as a superparamagnetic material with mild magnetic characteristics.