High-Performance,\nAdhesive-Free, Sustainable Biomass-Based\nMaterials Via a Selective in Situ Oxidation Interface

Biomass materials, such as plywood, fiberboard, and particleboard,\nhave extensive applications in construction formwork, furniture, and\ndecoration. However, the majority of biomass materials are joined\nusing adhesives such as urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde\nresins. Adhesive-free bonding is a sustainable method for fabricating\nbiobased materials, which allows for the efficient use of bioresources.\nHowever, the limited adhesion strength and water resistance hinder\nthe use of an adhesive-free method for creating high-performance biomass\ncomposites. Here, we present a straightforward and effective method\nfor making adhesive-free biomass composites. The strategy includes\nselectively oxidizing biomass in situ, followed by adhesive-free bonding\nthrough one-step molding. During this process, cross-linking networks\nare formed within the biomass interface using covalent and hydrogen\nbonds. Adhesive-free biomass composites possess exceptional adhesion\nstrength and water resistance. Furthermore, the proposed method exhibits\nexceptional versatility in terms of raw materials, irrespective of\nthe biomass variety or specific surface area (such as low specific\nsurface area in wood veneer and high specific surface area in bamboo\nfiber or bagasse particles). Moreover, the strategy exhibits excellent\nsurface formability, allowing for the creation of intricate pattern\ntextures on the biomass composites during shape-forming. This strategy\nshows promise for converting biomass resources into sustainable and\nhigh-value-added products.