Measurement of formaldehyde and VOCs emissions from wood-based panels with nanomaterial-added melamine-impregnated paper

Investigation of formaldehyde and VOCs emissions from wood-based panels are of great importance because of their negative impact on human health. In this study, a novel low formaldehyde and VOCs emitting board coated with nanomaterial-added melamine-impregnated papers was developed. Melamine resins which were reinforced with nanomaterials were used to impregnate decor papers. The effect of nanomaterial type (nano TiO2, nano MMT) and loading levels (0.5%, 1%) on formaldehyde and VOCs emissions from wood-based panels with melamine-impregnated papers were investigated. Formaldehyde and VOCs measurement were conducted according to GB 17657-1999 and JIS A1901-2009. Numerical results showed that formaldehyde and VOCs emissions from coating boards were significantly affected by nanomaterials. Compared with control panels, formaldehyde emissions from wood-based panels coated with 0.5% nanoparticles reinforced melamine-impregnated papers decreased slightly. With the increasing of loading level, the emissions decreased to a fairly low value, which were 22.2-36.6% lower than that of control panels. Most emitted VOCs were aromatics and alkane, which were main natural compounds detected in particleboard emissions. Most of the identified VOCs emissions decreased due to the existence of nanomaterial. With the increasing of nanomaterial loading level to 1%, total VOC emissions decreased 22.6-25.6% of control panels. This study provides a meaningful guidance on designing low-emitting wood-based panels with melamine-impregnated paper.