Xanthan Gum—Bio-Based Raw Material for Wood Adhesive

Abstract

Due to their lower environmental impact, ease of accessibility, low cost, and biodegradability, bio-renewable sources have been used extensively in the last several decades to synthesize adhesives, substituting petrochemical-based adhesive. Vegetable oils (including palm, castor, jatropha, and soybean oils), lactic acid, potato starch, and other bio-renewable sources are all excellent sources for the synthesis of adhesives that are being taken into consideration for the synthesis of “eco-friendly” adhesives. Due to their widespread use, accessibility, affordability, and biodegradability, biobased raw materials like carbohydrates used to synthesize wood and wood composite adhesive have gradually replaced petrochemical-based adhesive. Recently, xanthan gum, a naturally occurring polymer, has drawn the interest of scientists as a potentially petroleum source replacement. It possesses specific rheological characteristics, excellent water solubility, and stability to heat, and can be used as a binder, thickener, suspending agent, and stabilizer. Xanthan gum increases the adhesive strength in addition to increasing the viscosity of water-soluble adhesives. This article discusses xanthan gum as a potential substitute for traditional raw materials derived from petroleum that is used as a raw material for adhesives.