Effects of nanowollastonite on biological resistance of particleboard made from wood chips and chicken feather against Antrodia vaillantii

• Nanowollastonite (NW) hinders degradation of particleboard (PB) by Antrodia vaillantii.
• Chicken feathers can replace part of the wood chips in particleboard panels.
• Chicken feathers also decrease mass loss in PB when it is exposed to A. vaillantii.
• NW is not a hazardous material and can safely be used in wood-composite panels.

The effect of wollastonite nanofibers (NW) on biological resistance of particleboard, made from wood chips and chicken-feather fibers (CF), against Antrodia vaillantii was studied. 10% of NW, as well as 5 and 10% of CF, were applied to the particleboard-matrix based on the dry weight of wood chips. Then, as a complimentary study, 10% wood fibers were also added to the wood chips; totaling, 10 mixing treatments. Specimens were prepared and mass loss (ML) values were measured in accordance with the EN 113 specifications. Results indicated that the highest ML (37%) occurred in the control treatment without NW- or CF-content; the lowest ML was seen in panels with 10% of NW, CF, and wood fibers (2.5%). NW substantially decreased ML in all mixing ratios. CF also showed a significant decreasing effect on ML. No significant correlation was found between ML values with any of physical and mechanical properties; however, high significant correlations were found between most of the mechanical properties. It is concluded that NW may be considered an effective filler in wood-composite industry to increase the durability against fungal attack; however, more studies should first be conducted on different fungi and wood and wood-composite materials to finalize this conclusion.