Study on the release of formaldehyde and total volatile organic compounds from negative ion artificial boards

Authors: Peng You1, Liu Mengmeng2, Peng Lizheng3

Institutions: 1. Yucheng Furunde Wood Industry Co., Ltd.; 2. Shandong Product Quality Inspection Institute; 3. National Decoration and Renovation Materials Quality Supervision and Inspection Center

Source: China Wood-Based Panels, Issue 5, 2018

Introduction

The formaldehyde and total volatile organic compound emissions of negative ion decorative panels were tested using the method specified in national standards. It was found that the use of negative ion catalytic technology to make the decorative artificial panels release negative ions can effectively reduce the release of formaldehyde and total volatile organic compounds from the decorative artificial panels. At the same time, it was found that as the negative ion concentration of the decorative panels increased, the release of formaldehyde and total volatile organic compounds decreased.

Scientific research has confirmed that negative ions improve air quality and benefit human health. As consumers' environmental and health awareness grows, negative ion decorative panels, as a new type of environmentally friendly material, are increasingly being used in interior decoration. Negative ion artificial panels are typically made by ultra-finely reducing natural minerals that produce negative ions to micron- or nano-scale ultrafine powders. These powders are then blended, impregnated, grafted, or coated with the components that make up the artificial panel. Currently, there are two main manufacturing processes for negative ion artificial panels in my country: one involves adding negative ion additives to the artificial panel substrate and producing the panels through blending and impregnation. The other involves using catalyst technology to alter the electric field of wood molecules, creating a potential difference. This electrolysis of water molecules in the wood causes the negative ions to be released into the air through the gaps in the panel's finishing layer.

While much research has been conducted on the preparation process of negative ion-containing artificial boards, relatively few reports have examined the effects of adding negative ion materials on the performance of these boards, or the negative ion release performance of these boards. Therefore, this study examined formaldehyde and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) levels in both standard and negative ion-containing artificial boards, in accordance with GB 18580-2017, "Limits of Formaldehyde Emission from Artificial Boards and Their Products for Interior Decoration and Renovation Materials," and HJ 571-2010, "Technical Requirements for Environmental Labeling Products - Artificial Boards and Their Products," to investigate the effects of negative ions on formaldehyde and TVOC emissions from these boards.

The main conclusions are as follows:

1) Negative ions have a significant effect in reducing the release of formaldehyde, benzene, TVOC and other substances from decorative panels.

2) The higher the negative ion concentration of a decorative panel, the lower its formaldehyde and TVOC emissions. However, further testing is needed to quantify the relationship between negative ion concentration and formaldehyde and TVOC emissions. This will help determine the inflection point between negative ion concentration and formaldehyde and TVOC emissions, and to determine the negative ion concentration at which formaldehyde and TVOC emissions are at their lowest.

3) In the future, while pursuing the release of high-concentration negative ions from panels, we must also consider the safety of the materials and further determine whether the negative ion catalyst will cause excessive radon to have a negative effect on human health while purifying pollutants.