Investigation on the use of nanoclay against white rot fungi

Abstract

Background and Objective : Nanoclays as reinforcement filler for adhesives is being established but their efficacy against
whiterot fungus in particle board is not much explored. The present aim of the study was to explore the usage of nanoclay
Nanomer PGV against White rot fungus in particle board. Methodology : For the study, eight single layer particle board particle
board made using (0.25 and 0.5 % wt )nanoclay reinforced Urea formaldehyde resin (UF)and melamine urea formaldehyde
resin (MUF)was compared with control boards and boards made using 0.5 % boric acid. Dispersion of nanoclay in the urea
formaldehyde and melamine urea formaldehyde resin was done by mechanical mixing and it was characterised using Xray
diffraction. Efficacy of nanoclay against white rot fungus was studied using Agar block method as per IS: 4873. Results:The
intensity peak of Nanoclay disappeared after being dispersed into the UF resin and MUF resin by mechanical mixing. This
indicated that the UF resin or MUF resin was able to enter the interlayer space of Nanomer PGV, hence exfoliated. From the
results of the efficacy test it was found that the nanoclay 0.25 % and 0.5 % concentration satisfied the attack of white rot in case
of UF and MUF resin bonded particle board. Conclusion: Nano clay has shown usefull effect on controlling the average weight
loss due to white rot fungus in particle board