APPLICATION OF MULTILAYER CARBON NANOTUBES (MWCNT) ON NINE TROPICAL WOOD OF COSTA RICA AND THEIR IMPACT ON MECHANICAL RESISTANCE

Multilayer carbon nanotube (MWCNT) have been used in the reinforcement of materials due to their versatility; however, only little is known about their use in tropical wood. In the present study, functionalized MWCNT were introduced a hydroxyl group in water solution at two concentrations, 0.05% and 0.10%; and injected using the vacuum pressure method commonly used in wood preservation. Nine important tree species to Costa Rica i.e. Acacia mangium, Cedrela odorata, Cordia alliodora, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Gmelina arborea, Goethalsia meiantha, Ochroma pyramidale, Tectona grandis, and Vochysia ferruginea were tested for the effectiveness of MWCNT on five types of mechanical strength. As a result of absorption studies, Vochysia ferruginea was found to absorb the most with 455.45 L/m(3) at 0.05% and 466.40 L/m(3) at 0.10%, while Cedrela odorata was the least absorbing species with 215.78 L/m(3) at 0.05% and 215.78 L/m(3) at 0.10%. However, no pattern of improvement in either of the species was detected as per expectation, which could he due to several reasons such as the origin of the material, functionalization with hydroxyl group nanotubes or the chemical composition of the species.