Evaluation of anti-mold, termite resistance and physical-mechanical properties of bamboo cross-linking modified by polycarboxylic acids

Bamboo strips can be made into large-scale bamboo-based materials for construction and engineering materials, but the susceptibility of bamboo to degradation associated with moisture and microorganism attack greatly restricts its applications. In this study, chemical cross-linking modification using polycarboxylic acids [citric acid (CA) and 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA)] was employed to modify the performance of bamboo strips. The results confirm the esterification reaction between CA/BTCA and bamboo components. The anti-mold property of bamboo is notably improved and achieves rating 1 mold coverings (