Mesoporous aluminosilicate material with hierarchical porosity for ultralow density wood fiber composite (ULD-WFC)

Abstract

This study investigates the application of mesoporous aluminosilicate material with hierarchical porosity to ultralow density wood fiber composite (ULD-WFC) for improving their mechanical properties. A 300 nm thickness Si-Al inorganic film was applied to the surface of the fibers. The mesoporous aluminosilicate material with many mesopores ranging from 2 to 20 nm was obtained. Their total pore volume and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area were 0.193 cm3/g and 355.2 m2/g, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the thermostability of ULD-WFCs was affected by Si-Al compounds. But the residual weight of ULD-WFC with Si-Al compounds was 23.87% greater than composite without Si-Al compounds. The X-ray diffraction analysis indicated partial conversion of SiO2 to α-SiC. These conditions attributed to improving the mechanical properties of ULD-WFC. The modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and internal bond strength of composite with Si-Al compounds increased by 547.4%, 240.0%, and 400.0%, respectively, as compared with uncoated ULD-WFC.