| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Davies, Stuart J., et al.
(författare)
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ForestGEO: Understanding forest diversity and dynamics through a global observatory network
- 2021
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Ingår i: Biological Conservation. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-3207. ; 253
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ForestGEO is a network of scientists and long-term forest dynamics plots (FDPs) spanning the Earth's major forest types. ForestGEO's mission is to advance understanding of the diversity and dynamics of forests and to strengthen global capacity for forest science research. ForestGEO is unique among forest plot networks in its large-scale plot dimensions, censusing of all stems ≥1 cm in diameter, inclusion of tropical, temperate and boreal forests, and investigation of additional biotic (e.g., arthropods) and abiotic (e.g., soils) drivers, which together provide a holistic view of forest functioning. The 71 FDPs in 27 countries include approximately 7.33 million living trees and about 12,000 species, representing 20% of the world's known tree diversity. With >1300 published papers, ForestGEO researchers have made significant contributions in two fundamental areas: species coexistence and diversity, and ecosystem functioning. Specifically, defining the major biotic and abiotic controls on the distribution and coexistence of species and functional types and on variation in species' demography has led to improved understanding of how the multiple dimensions of forest diversity are structured across space and time and how this diversity relates to the processes controlling the role of forests in the Earth system. Nevertheless, knowledge gaps remain that impede our ability to predict how forest diversity and function will respond to climate change and other stressors. Meeting these global research challenges requires major advances in standardizing taxonomy of tropical species, resolving the main drivers of forest dynamics, and integrating plot-based ground and remote sensing observations to scale up estimates of forest diversity and function, coupled with improved predictive models. However, they cannot be met without greater financial commitment to sustain the long-term research of ForestGEO and other forest plot networks, greatly expanded scientific capacity across the world's forested nations, and increased collaboration and integration among research networks and disciplines addressing forest science.
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| 3. |
- Kim, Injeong, et al.
(författare)
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Characterisation of Moisture in Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Sapwood Modified with Maleic Anhydride and Sodium Hypophosphite
- 2021
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Ingår i: Forests. - : MDPI. - 1999-4907. ; 12:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this study, the wood–water interactions in Scots pine sapwood modified with maleic anhydride (MA) and sodium hypophosphite (SHP) was studied in the water-saturated state. The water in wood was studied with low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LFNMR) and the hydrophilicity of cell walls was studied by infrared spectroscopy after deuteration using liquid D2O. The results of LFNMR showed that the spin–spin relaxation (T2) time of cell wall water decreased by modification, while T2 of capillary water increased. Furthermore, the moisture content and the amount of water in cell walls of modified wood were lower than for unmodified samples at the water-saturated state. Although the amount of accessible hydroxyl groups in modified wood did not show any significant difference compared with unmodified wood, the increase in T2 of capillary water indicates a decreased affinity of the wood cell wall to water. However, for the cell wall water, the physical confinement within the cell walls seemed to overrule the weaker wood–water interactions.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Lin, Chia-feng, et al.
(författare)
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A new wood-modification process based on in situ grafting of urethane groups: biological resistance and dimensional stability of carbamylated Scots pine wood
- 2023
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Ingår i: Wood Material Science & Engineering. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1748-0272 .- 1748-0280. ; 18:3, s. 1160-1162
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chemical modification of wood typically requires the impregnation of wood with reactive compounds capable of undergoing covalent bonding to functional groups present in the cell wall. Creating such reactive agents in situ, with the use of low-priced chemicals, would prove more attractive for commercial applications. In this study, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood was impregnated with an aqueous solution of urea (30%), dried at 40°C for 24 h, and subsequently heat treated in an oven at 150°C for 24 h to produce the reactive isocyanic acid. By using accelerated fungal tests under laboratory conditions, provisional tests demonstrated a high biological resistance against selected moulds and rots. Migration of urea into the wood structure and grafting to its polymers during subsequent heat treatment, led to a bulked cell wall and enhanced resistance to water swelling, even after cycling water treatments. The bending strength (MOR) of modified pine wood was reduced by the treatment applied, while its modulus of elasticity (MOE) remained unchanged.
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| 6. |
- Lin, Chia-Feng, et al.
(författare)
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Approaching Highly Leaching-Resistant Fire-Retardant Wood by In Situ Polymerization with Melamine Formaldehyde Resin
- 2021
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Ingår i: ACS Omega. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2470-1343. ; 6:19, s. 12733-12745
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective of the work was to improve the leaching resistance of fire-retardant (FR) modified wood by the incorporation of a thermoset resin. Here, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood was impregnated with melamine formaldehyde (MF) resin and hydrophilic FRs guanyl-urea phosphate/boric acid by a vacuum-pressure treatment. Resistance to leaching of FR-modified wood was evaluated, after conducting an accelerated aging test according to European standard EN 84. Inductively coupled plasma analysis showed that the incorporation of MF resin significantly reduced the leachability of FRs. Scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry revealed that the mechanism of water resistance was by doping the FRs into MF resin microspheres. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed the chemical functionality changes of FR-modified wood such as the formation of methylene bridges by drying the modified wood specimens. An increase in the thermal stability of FR-modified wood was confirmed by thermal gravimetric analysis. Excellent fire performance of FR-modified wood after leaching was affirmed by the limiting oxygen index and cone calorimeter tests.
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| 7. |
- Lin, Chia-Feng, et al.
(författare)
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Fire Retardancy and Leaching Resistance of Furfurylated Pine Wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) Treated with Guanyl-Urea Phosphate
- 2022
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI. - 2073-4360. ; 14:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Guanyl-urea phosphate (GUP) was introduced into furfurylated wood in order to improve fire retardancy. Modified wood was produced via vacuum-pressure impregnation of the GUP–furfuryl alcohol (FA) aqueous solution, which was then polymerized at elevated temperature. The water leaching resistance of the treated wood was tested according to European standard EN 84, while the leached water was analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and inductively coupled plasma–sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS). This new type of furfurylated wood was further characterized in the laboratory by evaluating its morphology and elemental composition using optical microscopy and electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX). The chemical functionality was detected using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the fire resistance was tested using cone calorimetry. The dimensional stability was evaluated in wet–dry soaking cycle tests, along with the mechanical properties, such as the Brinell hardness and bending strength. The fire retardancy of the modified furfurylated wood indicated that the flammability of wood can be depressed to some extent by introducing GUP. This was reflected in an observed reduction in heat release rate (HRR2) from 454.8 to 264.9 kW/m2, without a reduction in the material properties. In addition, this leaching-resistant furfurylated wood exhibited higher fire retardancy compared to conventional furfurylated wood. A potential method for producing fire-retardant treated furfurylated wood stable to water exposure has been suggested.
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| 8. |
- Lin, Chia-Feng, et al.
(författare)
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High Leach-Resistant Fire-Retardant Modified Pine Wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) by In Situ Phosphorylation and Carbamylation
- 2023
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Ingår i: ACS Omega. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2470-1343. ; 8:12, s. 11381-11396
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The exterior application of fire-retardant (FR) timber necessitates it to have high durability because of the possibility to be exposed to rainfall. In this study, water-leaching resistance of FR wood has been imparted by grafting phosphate and carbamate groups of the water-soluble FR additives ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP)/urea onto the hydroxyl groups of wood polymers via vacuum-pressure impregnation, followed by drying/heating in hot air. A darker and more reddish wood surface was observed after the modification. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, solid-state 13C cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (13C CP-MAS NMR), and direct-excitation 31P MAS NMR suggested the formation of C–O–P covalent bonds and urethane chemical bridges. Scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry suggested the diffusion of ADP/urea into the cell wall. The gas evolution analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry revealed a potential grafting reaction mechanism starting with the thermal decomposition of urea. Thermal behavior showed that the FR-modified wood lowered the main decomposition temperature and promoted the formation of char residues at elevated temperatures. The FR activity was preserved even after an extensive water-leaching test, confirmed by the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimetry. The reduction of fire hazards was achieved through the increase of the LOI to above 80%, reduction of 30% of the peak heat release rate (pHRR2), reduction of smoke production, and a longer ignition time. The modulus of elasticity of FR-modified wood increased by 40% without significantly decreasing the modulus of rupture.
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| 9. |
- Lin, Chia-Feng, et al.
(författare)
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Leach-resistant fire-retardant treated furfurylated wood by incorporating guanyl-urea phosphate
- 2021
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Ingår i: Wood Material Science & Engineering. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1748-0272 .- 1748-0280. ; 16:6, s. 429-431
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Furfurylated wood has been used widely for exterior purposes due to its superior dimensional stability and biological durability, though its fire resistance is not enhanced. Here, the introduction of the fire-retardant additive guanyl-urea phosphate (GUP) into furfurylated wood is reported. The treatment improved both the thermal and fire stabilities of the modified wood, as supported by the results of thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and limiting oxygen index (LOI) before and after accelerated ageing testing (according to EN 84) to determine the water resistance of the treatment. The results indicated that the hydroscopic GUP remained within the wood structure and provided superior thermal and fire properties. The work suggests the idea of combining GUP and furfuryl alcohol (FA), which has the prospective to impart substantial fire-retardancy to the furfurylated wood, thus increasing the potential for exterior applications.
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| 10. |
- Lin, Chia-Feng, et al.
(författare)
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Phytic Acid-Silica System for Imparting Fire Retardancy in Wood Composites
- 2023
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Ingår i: Forests. - : MDPI. - 1999-4907. ; 14:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Fire-retardant (FR) treated wood-based panels, used commonly in furniture and construction, need to meet stringent fire safety regulations. This study presents a novel treatment for imparting fire resistance to wood composites by applying separate solutions of phytic acid and sodium silicate onto wood particles before the hot pressing at 160 °C. A scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analysis revealed that phytic acid and sodium silicate were uniformly distributed throughout the wood particles, and the formation of silica gel resulted in the aggregation of elemental silicon. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) displayed that phytic acid caused the thermal degradation of hemicelluloses, which led to a brownish outer appearance of the FR-treated composites. Fire performance was assessed using both limiting oxygen index (LOI) and a cone calorimeter. These techniques showed a higher LOI value and a significant reduction in heat-release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR), smoke-production rate (SPR), and total smoke production (TSP). In addition, cone calorimeter and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses consistently showed increased char residue in treated wood composites. Moreover, internal bond strength (IB) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of the wood composite were not significantly changed compared with those of the untreated composite. Surprisingly, in the FR-treated composite, the 24 h-thickness swelling, and the water uptake were slightly decreased. Consequently, this new treatment has the potential to increase the fire retardancy of wood composites, such as particleboard, without deteriorating the key mechanical properties.
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