Synthesis of Phenolic Resin Reinforced with TiO2 Nanoparticles and its Effect on Combustion Performance of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)

In this study, phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin has been modified with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) at a varying ratio from 0.05 wt.% to 1.5 wt.% to enhance the thermal properties and combustion performance of the resins. The effect of the nano-TiO2 modification on the properties (chemical or thermal) of the resins was determined by Fourier to transform infrared (FT-IR) and thermal analysis (TGA) techniques. In addition, the combustion performance of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) samples bonded with the PF resin modified with nano-TiO2 was tested. The result of the FT-IR analysis indicated that the modified PF resins had match peaks to the reference PF resin. These similarities of the peaks supported that the modified PF resins were successfully synthesise with phenol, formaldehyde, and nano-TiO2. The PF resins modified by nano-TiO2 demonstrated better thermal stability than the reference resin. The nano-TiO2 modified PF resin exhibited a favourable influence on the combustion characteristics of LVL. In consequence, PF resin modified with nano-TiO2 could be used as a combustion retardant adhesive in the wood industry.