Effects of hydrogen peroxide treatment on the surface properties and adhesion of ma bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus)

The poor adhesion of bamboo coatings is a serious issue in the bamboo industry. To develop a pretreatment method that improves the adhesion of films and increases the economic value of bamboo products, a study of hydrogen peroxide treatment with solutions of various pH (pH 4–9) on bamboo surfaces was conducted. Five-year-old ma bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro), and nitrocellulose lacquer were used in the study. Surface properties of the bamboo such as contact angle and color were evaluated, and 180° peel strength and shear strength tests for measuring adhesion of films were conducted. The results showed that the wettability of water droplets and the carbonyl group concentration on the bamboo surface were increased significantly by alkaline (pH 8 and 9) hydrogen peroxide treatments. There was only minor color variation and the outer wax layer of bamboo was etched to form additional recesses after hydrogen peroxide treatment. It was also found that all hydrogen peroxide treatments improved the adhesion of bamboo coating; bamboo treated with hydrogen peroxide at pH 7 showed the greatest improvement. The enhanced adhesion was attributed to the mechanical interlocking of the film on the treated bamboo rather than to surface activation.