Effect of novel scavengers based on phenolic compounds on formaldehyde emission and physical-mechanical properties of particleboard

This study focused on the influence of some novel scavengers on the physical, mechanical, and formaldehyde emission of particleboard produced with urea-formaldehyde resin. Three different scavengers, alizarin red sulfonate, alizarin yellow-GG, and chromotropic acid, were incorporated into the UF resin at 1, 3, 5, and 7% (by weight) loading levels based on the oven-dried weight of the resin. Other manufacturing parameters were kept constant in the production of particleboards. The results indicated that the formaldehyde emission of the particleboards significantly reduced with an increasing amount of scavengers. The lowest formaldehyde emission was found in the specimens containing alizarin red sulfonate (0.38 mg/l), followed by chromotropic acid (0.43 mg/l), and alizarin yellow-GG (0.49 mg/l), respectively, at 7 wt% loading level of the scavengers. Although the physical and mechanical properties of the particleboards decreased with the increasing content of the scavengers, they met the requirements of particleboards for interior fitments (including furniture) for use in dry conditions (P-2 grade) of EN 312 standard. According to the results of technological properties and formaldehyde emission of the particleboards, it can be said that alizarin red sulfonate is the best scavenger among the investigated ones.