Effects of DES and Chlorite Delignification Methods on Properties of Transparent Wood Materials

Abstract

Wood has many uses as raw material and after being processed. Since the use of wood as raw material is limited, the interaction of physical and chemical processes with technological developments has led to new products and new areas of use. Transparent wood production, for example, has emerged to provide maximum efficiency from heat and light. In this study, sodium chlorite and deep eutectic solvents (DES) obtained from choline chloride and lactic acid were used. In the production of transparent wood, 1- and 2-mm thick beech wood veneers (Fagus orientalis L.) and two-component transparent epoxy resin were used as filler. As a result of delignification processes, the highest delignification rate was obtained with 59 % in wood samples treated with NaClO2. Transparent wood production was obtained from the samples where the most delignification took place. The adhesion of the epoxy used in the production of transparent wood in the wood cells was determined by SEM analysis. The tensile strength of the transparent wood samples increased by 31 % compared with the control samples. The study results contribute to the literature on the efficiency of different delignification methods.