Sustainably modified UF/pMDI hybrid resin: Extended shelf life, low emissions, and particleboard bonding performance

M Li and Y Wang and YB Tang and Y Qing and XG Li and L Li and YQ Wu and M Liu and YF Zuo, INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS, 233, 121437 (2025).

DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.121437

In response to the growing demand for sustainable, high-performance adhesives in the construction industry, we present a hybrid adhesive system made from urea-formaldehyde (UF) and polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI). Acetone is used as a green solvent and dispersant to enhance the dispersion of pMDI in the UF matrix. This modification improves the flowability, water solubility, and overall stability of the resin, mitigating phase separation and maintaining an optimal viscosity range, which extends the adhesive's shelf life. The resulting hybrid resin shows superior bonding performance, with dry and wet shear strengths of 1.5 and 1.2 MPa, respectively, representing a 25 % improvement over conventional UF/pMDI systems. Additionally, the modified resin significantly reduces formaldehyde emissions (FE) to ultra-low levels (<= 0.04 mg/m3), satisfying stringent environmental standards and aligning with Super E0 criteria for low-emission building materials. The resin's performance was further validated through particleboard production, demonstrating excellent mechanical properties, water resistance, and compliance with relevant regulations. These findings highlight the scalability and sustainability of the acetone- modified UF/pMDI hybrid resin (UF/A-pMDI) for wood-based panels, providing a promising solution to address both environmental concerns and high-performance requirements. By integrating green chemistry principles, this approach paves the way for more eco-friendly manufacturing processes in the building materials industry, contributing to reduced formaldehyde exposure and supporting sustainable construction practices worldwide.

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