Darci Alberto Gatto

• Prof. Dr. Eng. Ftal
• Professor Titular at Federal University of Pelotas

Agriculture is an important sector of the economy but consumes significant amounts of water, a precious and limited natural resource. However, superabsorbent polymers combined with essential oils (EO) can be used to obtain sustained release of nutrients and improved soil water retention capacity by hydrogel, and they act as a repellence in the crop...

Arundo donax L. is a plant with great potential as lignocellulosic biomass, being a promising source for the development of biodegradable materials. This study evaluated the effects of different chemical pretreatments (H2SO4, NaOH, and NaClO) combined with dry milling on the physicochemical properties of biomass. Pretreatment with NaClO was the mos...

In this study, hybrid materials were synthesized incorporating curcumin, Cu2+ or Fe3+, and Kappa-carrageenan as a reducing agent to improve stability, considering that curcumin has low thermal and solution stability, which limits its applications. Colorimetric analysis showed color changes in the hybrids, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy revealed b...

This study presents an innovative approach to wood mineralization through various pretreatments, focusing on the application of chemically treated sawdust as aggregates in fly ash-based geopolymer composites. Eucalyptus wood sawdust underwent five distinct treatments: cold water washing (CWW), hot water washing (HWW), sodium hydroxide washing (SHW)...

This study investigates the sustainable use of Eucalyptus spp. bark through different chemical (hydrothermal, acid, alkaline, and bleaching) and physical (milling) pretreatments in the production of sustainable films. Valorization of agro-industrial residues and the demand for sustainable materials pose challenges for environmentally responsible so...

The composition of the wood and its elements are considered determinants in the wood properties, standing out the fibers, axial parenchyma, number of vessels and rays. In this context, we aimed to investigate and describe the wood anatomical structure of the Erythroxylum myrsinites Mart. and identify its potential uses in the area of wood technolog...

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) receive great attention for their physical and optical properties, high surface area, high tensile strength, rigidity (Young’s modulus up to 140 GPa), and ease of surface modification. However, controlling the properties of CNC is still challenging, given the wide variety of pulp sources and the complexity of finding su...

The aim of the present study was to produce sustainable composites using green low-density polyethylene (LDPE) reinforced with heat-treated lignocellulosic residues. The transformation processes were employed to enhance the chemical compatibility of lignocellulosic wastes with the polymer matrices of the composite materials. Sawdust from pine wood...

In this study, hybrid materials were synthesized incorporating curcumin, Cu²⁺ or Fe³⁺, and Kappa-carrageenan as a reducing agent to improve its stability, considering that curcumin has low thermal and solution stability, which limits its applications. Colorimetric analysis showed color changes in the hybrids, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy reveal...

The emergence of transparent wood as a viable alternative to traditional glass has sparked considerable interest in recent research endeavors. Despite advancements, challenges persist in the delignification methods and wood species utilized in prior studies. Therefore, this study delves into the potential of Brazilian eucalyptus wood for transparen...

Introducing openings or holes into wooden structures is a common practice for providing utility services. However, this practice leads to stress concentration, resulting in a reduction in stiffness and load-carrying capacity. Therefore, understanding the effects of holes on beam properties is important for design considerations. This study investig...

Este artigo tem como objetivo identificar a existência da relação de causa e efeito entre preço, demanda e oferta de madeira no Brasil de 2004 a 2018, em que se utilizou o índice de Produção Física de Produtos de Madeira, para se determinar a demanda, a Quantidade de Madeira Produzida, para se analisar a oferta, e o Preço da Madeira. Para atingir o...

This study aimed to produce cellulose nanofiber/chitosan membranes, using essential vegetable oils (Thymus vulgaris, Anethum graveolins, Origanum vulgare, Laurus nobilis and Cominum cyminum) and a fixed vegetable oil based on Myrocarpus frondosus, for use as wound dressings. Chemical composition of the oils was evaluated by gas chromatography coupl...

Rigid polyurethane foams (RPUF) filled with lignocellulosic fillers have gained considerable interest due to their mechanical performance and eco-friendly characteristics. However, their flammability and photodegradation resistance properties still need further improvement, which may be achieved by incorporating various particles. This study invest...

This study presents a superficial analysis of different wood polymer composites (WPC) comprising polystyrene (WPSC), poly(furfuryl alcohol) (WPFAC), and pine resin (WPRC) when exposed to artificial weathering. The study investigates the influence of resin type on the composites, focusing on their chemical, colorimetric, morphological, and thermal p...

Considering the limited existing literature on the combined effects of thermal treatment and weathering on the resistance of fast-growing pine wood to subterranean termites, this work deals with the resistance against subterranean termites of a thermally treated and weathered fast-growing pine wood. The pine wood was thermally treated at variable t...

Prepregs are commonly fabricated with non-renewable petroleum-based materials. To reduce the impact of the manufacturing of these materials and to produce more sustainable prepregs, this research aims to manufacture poly(furfuryl alcohol)/wood veneer prepregs and their posterior molding in laminate composites. For this purpose, the vacuum infusion...

Development of biocomposites from polysaccharides is of universal interest due to the possibility of obtaining new polymeric materials of sustainable origin, reducing the use of petroleum-derived molecules and helping to establish a system based on the notion of green economy. This study aimed at evaluating thermal and mechanical characteristics of...

Based on most recently published studies, there is a large variability in both the mechanical properties of wood and sample sizes selected to evaluate them. This study aims to define sampling sufficiency for some mechanical properties of wood, which were bending strength, bending modulus, compressive strength, compressive modulus, hardness, and she...

A poluição do ar é um tema muito recorrente, sendo objeto de estudo em várias pesquisas relacionadas a saúde pública. Desde 31 de dezembro de 2019, o vírus SARS-CoV-2 se espalhou no mundo: na África, Ásia, América, Europa e Oceania. A partir de 12 de março de 2020 foi considerada pandemia e, ao ponto que o número de casos aumentou, os países começa...

The use of lignocellulosic fillers in rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) has been receiving great attention due to their good mechanical and insulation properties and the high sustainable appeal of the obtained cellular polymers, although high water uptakes are found in most of these systems. To mitigate this detrimental effect, RPUFs filled with woo...

This work deals with the durability of a Pinus elliotti wood impregnated with alumina (Al2O3) particles. The samples were impregnated at three different Al2O3 weight fractions (c.a. 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5%) and were then exposed to two wood-rot fungi, namely white-rot fungus (Trametes versicolor) and brown-rot fungus (Gloeophyllum trabeum). Thermal and...

Natural tannin-based foams are three-dimensional porous materials. Many different formulations have been investigated in order to reach foams with improved performance and increased commercial attractiveness. In this sense, each different tannin pH may impart different physical and thermochemical properties to the foams, which has not yet been full...

Este estudo aborda a descrição e sua ilustração microscópica da madeira de Balfourodendron riedelianum (Engl.), conhecido pelo nome comercial de pau-marfim, apresentando suas características anatômicas e suas estruturas, com intuito de identificar anatomicamente a espécie, com base em lâminas fisiológicas disponibilizadas pela Universidade Federal...

The objective of this study was to evaluate a two‐step Pinus elliottii modification process comprising thermal treatment at different temperatures (180 °C, 200 °C, or 220 °C) for 2 h followed by vacuum‐pressure treatment and in situ polymerization with a highly pure solution of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The treated samples were then charac...

This study aims to propose a novel method, vacuum infusion process, to measure the longitudinal permeability of wood. The vacuum infusion method uses a vacuum bag sealed over the fibrous material, with a vacuum inlet and a vacuum outlet. It can be performed on top of any flat surface, and its process is relatively swift. Six different woods (Pinus...

Bioactive molecules are those capable of interacting with living organisms, causing changes in them. Wood extractives contain important amounts of these molecules, and some of them have good antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, which favors their use as preservatives. Several different extraction methods are employed to obtain the extractives, s...

Background: Boiling, steaming, and microwave radiation treatments were used for softening and then manufacturing curved samples using three Brazilian hardwoods. Solid wood samples from Carya illinoinensis, Luehea divaricata and Platanus x acerifolia were characterized for bending quality, bending defects, minimum radius of bending, spring-back and...

Introdução: A compostagem de resíduos sólidos da agricultura urbana tem se destacado como uma alternativa sustentável para auxiliar famílias vulneráveis a minimizar os efeitos da fome durante a pandemia do COVID-19 nos grandes centros urbanos. Objetivo: Este trabalho tem por objetivo realizar uma revisão integrativa da literatura a fim de deliberar...

Forestry residues include resources leftover from the handling of wood trees, including planning rejects, broken planks, old crates, barks, shavings, scrap joinery, as well as some rejects from wood processing, such as spent dyewood, tanning wood bark, unbleached screen rejects, residues from effluent treatments, wood fines from chips production, b...

Flame-resistant materials are key components in buildings and several other engineering applications. In this study, flame retardancy and thermal stability were conferred to a highly flammable technical thermoplastic—polypropylene (PP)—upon compositing with a carbonaceous tannin-based particulate (CTP). Herein, we report on a straightforward, facil...

Measuring the natural resistance of wood is fundamental for proper use. The natural durability of five tropical wood species was investigated by field decay testing during exposure for 360 days. Wood logs (length of 0,5 m; diameter of 8 cm - 12 cm) were used in this study. The mass loss and decay index were calculated and visual analysis during the...

Conhecer a durabilidade natural da madeira é importante na determinação dos locais de aplicação do material e na necessidade do uso de preservantes químicos. Por se tratar de espécies de rápido crescimento que podem atender as necessidades do mercado madeireiro, conhecer suas propriedades é relevante. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar...

It was impregnated commercial titanium dioxide into Pinus elliottii wood, aiming to increase its durability against the attack of brown rot fungus Postia placenta and photodegradation caused by ultraviolet radiation. The samples were put under 8 bar pressure for 3 hours at different concentrations of TiO2 (0.5%, 0.25%, 0.124% and 0%-control). To ev...

A Pinuselliottii wood was thermally modified at 200 °C for 2 h and then treated by in situ polymerization with furfuryl alcohol (FA) using a vacuum-pressure process to investigate the influence of furfurylation on a thermally treated wood. The presence of poly(furfuryl alcohol) (PFA) was confirmed by micrographs (SEM and CLSM), which also showed th...

This study aims to propose a novel method, vacuum infusion process, to measure the longitudinal permeability of wood. The vacuum infusion method uses a vacuum bag sealed over the fibrous material, with a vacuum inlet and a vacuum outlet. It can be performed on top of any flat surface, and its process is relatively swift. Six different woods ( Pinus...

Nanofibrillated cellulose can be used as a robust scaffold filled with tannin particles. Such reinforcement may confer particular chemical features needed for the production of hybrid films used as active packaging. Based on this hypothesis, powdered tannin particles were incorporated into nanocellulose-based films at two different weight fractions...

In a comparison with certain one-step processes, enzymatic hydrolysis followed by mechanical defibrillation may avoid the use of nonrenewable resources, mitigate the generation of toxic effluents, and reduce the energy consumption related to a single mechanical process. In the present study, bleached and unbleached hardwood pulps were employed as r...

This study deals with a two-step treatment, in which a thermorretification at 180 °C for 2 h is followed by the in situ polymerization of polystyrene into a fast-growing pine wood. The treatment with polystyrene recovered losses in both stiffness and strength attributed to the thermal modification. Compared to the heat-treated wood, the two-step tr...

Este estudo tem como objetivo, a avaliação de propriedades termoquímicas e físico-mecânicas da madeira de Eucalyptus grandis polimerizada in situ com metacrilato de metila. Para isso, foram confeccionados corpos de prova de 15 × 15 × 250 mm3 para avaliação na massa específica aparente, ganho de massa, flexão estática e 2 corpos de prova de 10 × 10...

Thymol is a renewable substance and has a high antimicrobial efficiency, which indicates that it could be used to produce sustainable biocides. In this study, we used kraft lignin as a partial replacement for a traditional surfactant in order to solubilize thymol in water. In this sense, this article reports an unprecedented method for using a kraf...

A raw pine resin, which is a cheap, renewable and easily obtainable forest resource, was used to impregnate two different fast-growing solid woods (Eucalyptus grandis Hill Maiden and Pinus elliottii Engelm) and in situ polymerized to improve their hygroscopic, chemical, morphological, mechanical, and thermogravimetric properties. Biodegradation res...

This study aims to evaluate chemical characteristics, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of organic compounds extracted from three Eucalyptus wood and Corymbia maculate wood using ethanol as a solvent. To obtain the ethanolic extracts, 15 g of a powdered wood sample was mixed with 150 mL of ethyl alcohol 99 % PA by constant mechanical stirrin...

Micro- and nanoparticles of aluminum oxide (alumina) have been used to confer increased flammability to polymers. In the present study, different weight fractions of alumina nanoparticles were impregnated into a traditional softwood and the flammability of these treated woods was studied. Sodium polyacrylate (SPAC) was used as a surfactant and also...

This study addresses the use of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as a characterization tool to evaluate fast-growing pine woods treated by in situ polymerization with three different precursors and then subjected to biodeterioration using a white-rot fungus. The solution treatments consisted of three concentrations of furfuryl alcohol...

Thin films of cerium dioxide (CeO2) and cerium dioxide doped with vanadium pentoxide (CeO2:V2O5) were prepared through sol-gel route and spin coating deposition, for use as smart materials. This work evaluated films that underwent a weathering process in an accelerated weathering test chamber and the changes in their properties. The influence of th...

The objective of the present work was to perform the technological characterization of Pinus elliottii wood impregnated with silica extracted from rice husks in different concentrations (1% and 2%). Silica was characterized by particle size, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and yield. The vacuum-pressure meth...

Although wood is the main source for pulp and paper industry in Brazil, other renewable non-wood fibers could be key alternatives for papermaking. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the properties of handsheets produced from a mixture of totora (Schoenoplectus californicus) (C.A. Mey.) and Eucalyptus spp. (eucalyptus) fibers. The pulps were refined...

The aim of the present study is to subject Pinus elliottii wood specimens to TiO2-based modification in order to make them resistant to water and UV radiation. The microwave-assisted solvothermal method, which is little reported in the literature, was here in use for this purpose. The adopted methodology led to a 1 % mass gain; although it was a lo...

This study aims to produce and characterize wood-based composites (WPC) by in situ polymerization with poly(vinyl acetate) into juvenile and mature woods from a pine specie. Vacuum-pressure method was used to impregnate the wood with a vinyl acetate monomer and benzoyl peroxide (1.5 wt%) was used as initiator. The studied WPC were characterized for...

In this study, wood fibres were extracted from eucalyptus and pine woods, treated by immersion in tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and incorporated into a cementitious matrix at three weight contents (2 wt%, 5 wt% and 10 wt%). The fibres were characterized using chemical and morphological analyses and the cement-based composites were evaluated using...

Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir. (MT) is an underutilized plant specie since its wood is mostly used for energy production. Nonetheless, the bark from this forest plant has a high amount of tannins and other valuable compounds. Tannins have high worldwide importance and, because of that, there is an increasing number of researches on biorefinery sy...

RESUMO Estudos que abordam os parâmetros tecnológicos da madeira de amplo uso, como Eucalyptus grandis, são fundamentais, uma vez que seu uso e exploração adequados dependem dessas características. Atualmente, o implante dessa espécie foi ampliado e o espaçamento é um fator determinante. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o espaçam...

Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) (MT) Poir. is an underutilized plant specie since its wood is mostly used for energy production. Nonetheless, the bark from this forest plant has a high amount of tannins and other valuable compounds. Tannins have high worldwide importance and, because of that, there is an increasing number of researches on biorefinery sy...

The technological properties of wood are constituted by parameters, which after being analyzed, make it possible to define an appropriate use for this material. However, the deterioration of the wood due to the attack of termites, which find their food source in the chemical components, ends up altering these original technological characteristics,...

This article presents an elucidative research that aims to bring new uses for the juvenile pine wood, which is highly available and commercially undervalued. For that, specimens from adult pine trees were cut from near to both their pith and bark in order to present the juvenile and mature pine woods, respectively. These specimens were then impregn...

The incorporation of residues from a given crop into polymeric matrices is a valuable strategy to obtain multiple benefits, mostly environmental and economical, across the agricultural production chain. In this study, grape pomace residue from vineries were systematically combined with pinewood residues from sawmill to produce multi-component polym...

This work aimed to evaluate the growth, production and wood quality a clonal hybrid (Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla) produced in integrated crop-livestock-forest systems (iCLF) and monoculture. The study was carried out in an iCLF system and a monoculture stand, both in the municipality of Sinop, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Diameter (a...

This study aims to compare the resistance against subterranean termites of wood–polymer composites produced by in situ polymerization. The biological tests were carried out by choice and no-choice feeding tests. Poly (furfuryl alcohol), poly(styrene) and poly (methyl methacrylate) were studied here. They were impregnated into a Brazilian fast-growi...

Diante do atual cenário de crescente desenvolvimento de novos produtos, o presente estudo analisou a durabilidade de compósitos reforçados com fibras de banana e de batata-doce, tendo o PVA como agente ligante, em formulações com híbridos e fibras únicas. No trabalho, foram conformadas três diferentes formulações, sendo as duas primeiras com fibras...

The impregnation of low-molecular-weight monomers prior to polymerize them inside the wood may be an efficient way to improve some important wood properties. This work aimed to determine some technological properties of wood-based composites (WPC) produced by in situ polymerization, using a pine wood (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) impregnated with methy...

Organic substances have been used for different wood treatments, especially impregnation procedures, aiming at improve certain wood properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate dimensional stability and colourimetric features for a mature pine wood (Pinus elliottii) impregnated by vacuum-pressure process with variable concentrations (10...

A wood-based polymer composite was manufactured and characterized using in situ polymerization of styrene into juvenile and mature pine wood. Treatment parameters and properties were evaluated by using infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and mechanical testing. Specimens treated by in-situ polymerization of styrene showed increased thermal stab...

Eucalyptus is one of the most fast-growing trees. Therefore, in the last decades it has been extensively planted and harvested so that nowadays Eucalyptus is one of the most popular trees of the planet. There are many genres of this plant and they are often treated as a large bunch of the same timber characterized by moderate mechanical and surface...

In the present study, three juvenile hardwoods (namely sycamore, pecan and london plane) were treated by boiling, steaming and microwave. Trees from Platanus x acerifolia (sycamore), Carya illinoinensis (pecan) and Luehea divaricata (london plane) were selected in homogeneous forests located in southern Brazil. Each hydrothermal treatment was perfo...

This study aimed to evaluate the variations in thermal and chemical characteristics of juvenile Eucalyptus grandis wood submitted to a deterioration test by Nasutitermes termites. For this purpose, a biodeterioration test with termites was conducted according to ASTM D 3345 (2008), in which, after the end of the period corresponding to the test (40...

We report on the combination of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and condensed tannins from Acacia mearnsii for the development of hybrid, functional films. The tannins are fractionated and concentrated in polyphenolics that are used to functional components in the hybrid materials. Co-grinding of wood fibers with the tannins in aqueous media allows sim...

Thermal treatments arise as an alternative to increase the physical and biological properties of wood, though they usually cause a reduction in mechanical strength. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the brittleness of Eucalyptus wood submitted to freezing and heat treatments. Freezing occurred with green condition specimens and the h...

RESUMO O interesse pela síntese de nanopartículas utilizando extratos vegetais vem crescendo nas últimas décadas, devido a não geração de resíduos de químicos tóxicos e condições mais brandas de síntese. O Brasil é um dos líderes em florestas plantadas, principalmente do gênero Eucalyptus, em razão disso o objetivo deste trabalho foi sintetizar nan...

This study aims at assessing and correlating physical properties of wood, such as basic specific mass, moisture content, water absorption, loss of mass at 50 ° C and 100 ° C, maximum linear contraction (β), coefficient of contraction anisotropy (Ca β), maximum linear swelling (α) and coefficient of swelling anisotropy (Caα), being analyzed for wood...

The woods have distinct technological properties, as they are organic and heterogeneous material, requiring an assessment for proper use. Therefore, the objective of this work was the evaluation of technological properties, which are: basic density, apparent density at 12%, equilibrium moisture content, static flexion (MOE and MOR), parallel compre...

Integrated crop-livestock-forest (iCLF) systems are consolidated as alternatives for multiple use of agricultural lands to produce grains, meat, milk, timber and non-timber products. This article reports the analysis of the wood quality of a eucalyptus clone grown in conventional homogenous plantation and iCLF system and evaluated at 7-year age. Fo...

Nano-and micro-oxides are promising materials due to several interesting characteristics such as photocatalytic and antimicrobial role. In this work, zinc oxide nanorods were obtained by microwave-assisted solvothermal process and their photocatalytic performance and action for wood protection against wood-decay fungus was studied. The morphologica...

de Pós-graduação em Ciência e Engenharia de Materiais-96010-610, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. 5 Embrapa Florestas, Laboratório Tecnologia da Madeira-83411-000, Estrada da Ribeira km 111, Colombo, Paraná, Brasil. Currently, the most used surfactants present high toxicity, which compromises their use, as is the case of polysorbates. Thus, in o...

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do tratamento térmico nas propriedades tecnológicas da madeira de Pinus elliottii. Para tanto, utilizou-se madeira de 22 anos, de onde foram obtidos corpos de prova com dimensões de 20 mm x 20 mm x 50 mm, os quais foram submetidos a tratamentos térmicos em três temperaturas distintas (160°C, 200°C e 24...

Este estudo tem como objetivo, a avaliação de propriedades físicas de Pinus elliottii polimerizada in situ com metacrilato de metila. Para isso, foram confeccionados corpos de prova de 25 mm x 25 mm x 50 mm. As análises foram conduzidas por meio das técnicas normativas da ASTM - American society for testing and materials D 143-94 (ASTM, 2014) e D 2...

Rigid polyurethane (PU) foams are popular expanded polymers mostly due to their thermal and mechanical properties, although aesthetical features and photodegradation resistance are also of interest for certain applications. In this study, four different forest-based wastes (wood, bark, kraft lignin and paper sludge) were incorporated into rigid PU...

To heat-treat is one of the main alternatives to improve wood performance in outdoor uses. This study aimed to evaluate the discolouration of a heat-treated fast-growing eucalyptus wood exposed to natural weathering tests. Wood samples were cut from a young eucalyptus forest located in Southern Brazil. Thermal treatments were performed in an oven w...