Abstract:
Conventional binders in the particleboards formulation involve use of formaldehyde resins. Epidemiologic studies
show that formaldehyde is carcinogenic. Efforts to reduce formaldehyde emissions by use of scavengers has not
been proven to reduce the emission. Molecular bonding of biobased adhesive molecules with lignocellulose
materials provides an alternative way of producing composite material. In this study, maize stalk (MS), rice husks
(RH) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) were used as sources of lignocellulose materials for particleboard formulation.
SB, MS and RH were collected from their respective sites, sorted and dried. MS and RH were ground. Lignin
content determination was done by drying lignocellulose material at 105 C. Lignocellulose materials were
prepared by hydrolysis of dried lignocellulose material with sodium hydroxide. Oxidized starch was prepared by
oxidation of cassava peel starch using alkaline hydrogen peroxide. Particleboards were formulated through starchlignocellulose
polymerization at 60 C compressed with 6.5 Nmm
2
pressure. Characterization of raw materials
and formulated particleboards was done using XRD for mineralogical analysis, FTIR and NMR for elucidation of
functional groups transformation. The results showed that esterification is the main process of chemical bonding
in the particleboard formulation due to reaction between COOH from starch and and OH- from lignocellulose.
Etherification between hydroxyl groups from starch with hydroxyl groups from lignocellulose material. RH
combined more through silication process with cassava peels starch than RH and SB showing materials containing
high cellulose and hemicellulose content are more compatible. Composite materials formulated were used to
produce medium density particleboards that can be used for making furniture and room partitioning.
