Effectiveness of Two Different Hydrophobic Topcoats for Increasing of Durability of Exterior Coating Systems on Oak Wood

Steam explosion-assisted grinding improves the functional properties and antioxidant activity of Java tea-leaf powders (Clerodendranthus spicatus)

BACKGROUND

Java tea is widely consumed and has multiple health effects. This study established a steam explosion (SE) pretreatment method to prepare Java tea-leaf powders. The physicochemical, functional properties, phenolic extraction, and antioxidant activity of Java tea-leaf powders produced by simple and SE-assisted milling methods were investigated.

RESULTS

In comparison with simple milling, SE pretreatment broke the cell wall effectively and reduced the particle size of Java tea-leaf powders. Steam explosion-treated powders showed higher values for sensory signals, bulk and tap density, and for the water solubility index. After SE treatment, the adsorption capacities to glucose, soybean oil, and cholesterol of leaf powders were increased by up to 55, 95, and 80% respectively. The extracts from SE-treated powders also showed higher total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSION

Steam explosion treatment is helpful for the improvement of functional properties and antioxidant activity, which can benefit the development and application of Java tea-leaf powders. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Influence of the Initial Treatment of Oak Wood on Increasing the Durability of Exterior Transparent Coating Systems

This study determined the impact of undertaking an initial treatment of oak wood by sealing its surface pores with epoxy resin, focusing on the durability of transparent coating systems when exposed outdoors. Throughout the exposure period, various parameters including color, gloss, surface wettability, and both macroscopic and microscopic surface evaluation were continuously monitored. The study involved two sets of samples: one set underwent the pretreatment, while the other did not. Subsequently, four coating systems were applied to the samples, comprising two solvent-based and two water-based coatings. The experiment was conducted over a period of two years, utilizing natural weathering methods within the premises of the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague. The pretreatment with epoxy resin exhibited enhanced durability for all paint systems. The analysis showed a significant difference in gloss and color after 12 months of weathering exposure without any significant effect on surface wettability and sealing. However, after 24 months of the weathering exposure, no significant differences between the sealed and unsealed surface were observed. The most significant change in properties was noted for the water-based coatings used in coating systems number 3 and 4, and these coatings were rated as the best.

Effect of Microcapsules with Waterborne Coating as Core Material on Properties of Coating for Tilia Europaea and Comparison with Other Microcapsules

Urea formaldehyde was used as wall material and waterborne coatings as a core material to prepare microcapsules. So as to explore the influence of mass ratio of core to shell, reaction temperature and standing time on the performance of microcapsules, the orthogonal test of three factors and two levels was put into effect. The orthogonal experimental results showed the mass ratio of core to shell was the most important factor. With the increase of the mass ratio of core to shell, the output and clad ratio of microcapsules increased first and then decreased. The microcapsule with the mass ratio of core to shell of 0.67:1 had better appearance, output, and encapsulation performance. The optical properties of waterborne wood coating with the microcapsules of waterborne coating as core materials did not decrease significantly, while the hardness, impact resistance, and toughness were improved. At the same time, the microcapsules have a certain self-repairing effect on coating micro-cracks. Compared with the properties of waterborne coatings with other microcapsules, the coating with waterborne coating as core material has better comprehensive performance. The results provide a new research idea for the performance enhancement and self-healing of wood waterborne coating.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Emitted from Coated Furniture Units

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the main source influencing the overall air quality of an environment. It is a well-known fact that coated furniture units, in the form of paints and varnishes, emit VOCs, reducing the air quality and resulting in significant health problems. Exposure time to such compounds is also an important parameter regarding their possible health effects. Such issues also have a greater influence when the exposure period is extended. The main objective of this study was to review some of the important factors for the emission of VOCs from coated furniture, from the perspective of material characteristics, as well as health concerns. Some methods for controlling VOC emissions to improve indoor air quality, from the point of view recent regulations and suggestions, are also presented in this work.

Influence of Site Conditions and Quality of Birch Wood on Its Properties and Utilization after Heat Treatment. Part II—Surface Properties and Marketing Evaluation of the Effect of the Treatment on Final Usage of Such Wood

This work is a follow-up contribution to the characteristics of Betula pendula (silver birch) wood from different habitats and the impact of the subsequent heat treatment. Specifically, it focuses on the surface properties of birch wood in the form of veneers, namely color, hardness, roughness and wetting, and in particular on the marketing evaluation of the attractiveness of colored birch wood and, thus, its possible use in practice in the Czech Republic. Three heat treatment steps at 170, 190 and 200 °C were used. The resulting values of the properties of the treated birch veneers were compared with the untreated reference veneers and also with beech veneers. These properties were the wood density, the colorimetric parameters, the roughness parameters, the wetting parameters, the hardness and density, and none of the parameters studied showed negative changes due to the temperature adjustment. Overall, both in terms of properties and in terms of marketing appraisal, there is the potential for birch to replace, for example, beech, especially in the furniture industry, by application in the form of heat-treated veneers after suitable heat treatment. The conclusions of the marketing analysis resulting from the questionnaire survey conducted on a sample of respondents show the significant preference for the heat-treated birch wood compared to reference birch samples without heat treatment.

Durability of the Exterior Transparent Coatings on Nano-Photostabilized English Oak Wood and Possibility of Its Prediction before Artificial Accelerated Weathering

Changes in surface material characteristics can significantly affect the adhesion and overall life of coatings on wood. In order to increase the durability of transparent exterior coatings, it is possible to use the surface modification of wood with UV-stabilizing substances. In this work, selected types of surface modifications using benzotriazoles, HALS, ZnO and TiO₂ nanoparticles, and their combinations were applied to oak wood (Quercus robur, L.). On such modified surfaces, the surface free energy, roughness, and contact wetting angle with three selected types of exterior transparent coatings were subsequently determined. An oil-based coating, waterborne acrylic thick layer coating, and thin-layer synthetic coating were tested and interaction with the aforementioned surface modifications was investigated after 6 weeks of accelerated artificial weathering. The results of changes in the initially measured surface characteristics of the modified oak wood were compared to the real results of degradation of coatings after artificial accelerated weathering. The positive effect of surface modification, in particular the mixture of benzotriazoles, HALS, and ZnO nanoparticles on all kinds of coatings was proven, and the best results were observed in thick-film waterborne acrylic coating. The changes in the measured surface characteristics corresponded to the observed durability of the coatings only when measured by wetting using drops of the tested coatings.

Surface Properties of Pine Scrimber Panels with Varying Density

Coating quality for scrimber products against exterior conditions is largely dependent on the surface properties. The wettability, morphology, and chemical composition of pine scrimber surfaces were investigated to better understand the surface properties. The scrimber was found to be a hydrophilic material because the water contact angles were less than 90°. The panels with a density of 1.20 g/cm3 had the largest angle change rate (k = 0.212). As the panel density increased, the instantaneous contact angle of each test liquid (i.e., water, formamide, and diiodomethane) on the panels decreased, and so did surface free energy. Panels with higher density showed lower surface roughness. Surface roughness across the wood grain was greater than that along the grain. SEM observations showed the high-density panels had a smoother surface with fewer irregular grooves in comparison with the low-density panels. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicated that more unoxygenated groups appeared on the surface of high-density panels.