Deep Eutectic Solvents Ignition-Triggered Interfacial Fusion for Structural-Grade Lignocellulosic Boards

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Sustainable Chemistry
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Conventional lignocellulosic boards rely on fossil-derived resins, causing environmental concerns and end-of-life management issues.
• Existing adhesives create weak interfaces and hinder material circularity.
• There is a need for sustainable, high-performance lignocellulosic materials with improved recyclability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, adhesive-free manufacturing strategy for lignocellulosic structural boards.
• To replace traditional fossil-derived adhesives with a sustainable, closed-loop approach.
• To enhance the mechanical properties and circularity of lignocellulosic materials.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing deep eutectic solvent (DES) for ignition-triggered interfacial fusion in a two-stage process.
• Activating lignocellulosic cell walls and mobilizing native lignin/hemicellulose using DES.
• Employing hot pressing to reconstruct and lock redistributed components into a bonding interphase.

Main Results:

• Achieved an internal bond strength of up to 2.53 MPa, significantly exceeding the commercial requirement of 0.45 MPa.
• Demonstrated a low 24-h thickness swelling of 10.05%.
• Confirmed a locked interfacial network through mechanistic studies, including bond cleavage and strengthened hydrogen bonding.

Conclusions:

• The developed BioFuse-Board offers superior performance and sustainability compared to conventional materials.
• The deep eutectic solvent (DES) ignition-triggered interfacial fusion strategy enables circular manufacturing of structural-grade lignocellulosic materials.
• This approach is economically viable and significantly reduces environmental impact, offering a generalizable route for adhesive-free biomaterials.