Advancements in wood processing utilizing polymers for “transparent” wood composites: a technical review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Concerns about environmental deterioration, resource depletion and climate change have fueled a surge in worldwide interest in sustainable materials these recent years. This interest is especially strong in businesses that rely on non-renewable resources, such as building, transportation and packaging. In this paper, there has been a process toward investigating alternative materials, which have both environmental advantages and functional capabilities equivalent to, or even superior to, traditional counterparts. This review and meta-analysis aims to assess the present status of technical research on “transparent” wood manufacture, by utilizing even recyclable polymers. This study evaluates the methods used, the attributes gained, obstacles encountered and possible uses of such new materials. A technical literature search was undertaken utilizing several databases, such as PubMed and Web of Science and pertinent scholarly journals. The inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed studies on alternative wood production utilizing various polymers. The data extraction includes polymer types, production procedures, optical and mechanical properties and limitations described in the research. Several technologies, including impregnation and hot pressing, have been used to create novel composites. “Transparent” wood composites demonstrated promising optical transparency, mechanical strength and thermal stability when compared to standard approaches. Scalability, durability and cost-effectiveness have been referred as major problems in the manufacture of “transparent” wood composites, so to the moment their market impact is low. Despite limitations, the accurate research revealed potential uses in design, renewable energy and the sustainable packaging industries.