Using a novel biomass surface nanosizing strategy for natural structures, the team of Yu Shuhong at the University of Science and Technology of China recently constructed a new all-biomass biomimetic wood that does not require adhesives.
In this high-performance biomimetic wood, a large number of nanofibers are exposed on micron-sized wood chip particles. These fibers combine into a network of intertwined nanofibers through ionic bonding, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and physical entanglement, Xinhua quoted the team as saying.
Without adding any binder, wood particles are tightly bound together by these fiber networks, forming a high-strength dense structure.
Currently, widely used artificial boards are mostly made of wood chips bonded by resin binders containing formaldehyde, some of which may cause pollution.
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Experiments have shown that the bionic wood prepared using this strategy has a mechanical strength that surpasses that of natural solid wood and traditional man-made boards.
It can be made into large-size materials and also exhibits excellent flame retardancy, water resistance, electrical conductivity and electromagnetic shielding.
It can achieve self-heating at a low voltage of 1.75 volts and warm up to 60 degrees Celsius in 5 minutes, a property that can effectively guarantee the safety of self-heating devices and reduce energy consumption.
The research results were recently published in the academic journal National Science Review.
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