Hierarchically porous silica samples, ranging from mesopores to macropores, were prepared by “nanoscale casting using supercritical (SC) fluids” (NCSCF) technology and bionics, achieving a biomineralization process in an environmentally friendly and efficient way. These wood-templated SiO2 samples, having special hierarchical pore sizes from 3.3 nm up to 50 μm, were obtained with SC-CO2 precurs...

Few old-growth stands remain in the matrix of secondary forests that dominates the eastern North American landscape. These remnant stands offer insight on the potential carbon (C) storage capacity of now-recovering secondary forests. We surveyed the remaining old-growth forests on sites characteristic of the general Mid-Atlantic United States and estimated the size of multiple components of for...

Tension wood is widespread in the organs of woody plants. During its formation, it generates a large tensile mechanical stress, called maturation stress. Maturation stress performs essential biomechanical functions such as optimizing the mechanical resistance of the stem, performing adaptive movements, and ensuring long-term stability of growing plants. Although various hypotheses have recently...

This study evaluated the mechanical and hydrophobic properties of wood plastic composites (WPC) prepared by hot molding approach incorporating five different recycled plastics poplar flour. The WPC showed excellent tensile strength (36.9 MPa) flexural (44.7 associated with good hydrophobicity, could be due to application pressing which improved amount hydroxyl groups reduced crystallinity WPC. ...

The ability of natural and synthetic hinokitiol, as well as a water soluble derivative (hinokitiol sodium salt), to protect wood against fungal attack was examined. Synthetic and natural hinokitiol provided similar protection. All three materials exhibited similar antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Penicillium citrinum on yellow poplar wafers at concentrations of 1 mg/mL or great...

In this study, heat treatment was carried out in a relatively low temperature (230 ̊C). Mass loss kinetics was studied using equipment, specially conceived to measure sample’s mass during the thermal treatment. Laboratory experiments were performed for heating rates of 1 ̊C min-1. Mathematical model for kinetics of pyrolysis process was used and validated. During the pyrolysis of dry wood samples...

To meet the increasing demand for wood and wood products, the Southern Hardwoods Laboratory is investigating silvicultural techniques such as fertilization. Sweetgum, water oak, and willow oak have responded to N and NPK on clay soils of the Mississippi River floodplain. Yellow-poplar growth has been improved by NPK fertilizers on eroded sites in the Silty Uplands, and in the greenhouse sycamor...

Climate change, biomass utilization, and bioenergy recovery are among the biggest current global concerns. Wood is considered an environmentally benign material. Nevertheless, it must be processed for desired applications. Upon thermal treatment ranging from 180 °C to 280 °C, under low oxygen concentrations, wood becomes a material with improved dimensional stability, resistance fungal attacks,...

Furfurylation with a low concentration of furfuryl alcohol (FA) promotes the improvement properties and effectiveness FA on cell–wall action without darkening furfurylated wood to point that it affects its applications. In this paper, effects furfurylation hygroscopicity water uptake dimensional stability poplar (Populus sp.) Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) were analyzed. Meanwhile, distr...