Author/Authors :
Acda, MN University of the Philippines Los Banos - Department of Forest Products and Paper Science, Philippines , Devera, EE University of the Philippines Los Banos - Department of Forest Products and Paper Science, Philippines , Cabangon, RJ Department of Science and Technology - Forest Products Research and Development Institute, Philippines , Cabangon, RJ University of the Philippines Los Banos - Department of Forest Products and Paper Science, Philippines , Pabelina, KG University of the Philippines Diliman - National Institute of Physics, Philippines , Ramos, HJ University of the Philippines Diliman - National Institute of Physics, Philippines
Abstract :
The study investigated the use of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) for surface modification of Shorea contorta (white lauan), Gmelina arborea (yemane) and Acacia mangium. Wood specimens were exposed to oxygen plasma at various intensities ranging from 5.8 to 46.5 kW-min m-2. Surface free energy was calculated based on contact angle measurements to determine thermodynamic changes on plasma modified wood. Surface characteristics were evaluated using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results of the study showed that plasma modification resulted in significant increase in surface free energy of the three wood species investigated. ATR–FTIR indicated that plasma-treated wood had higher surface polarity compared with untreated controls. AFM 3D image showed that oxygen plasma was capable of cleaning and etching wood surface resulting in the degradation of primary and secondary cell walls.
Keywords :
Dieletric barrier discharge , surface modification , surface free energy , atomic force microscopy , Shorea , Gmelina , Acacia
