Author(s)

Richard Ntenga^1,2*, Frederic Djoda Pagore¹, Antonio Pizzi^3,4, Etienne Mfoumou⁵, Louis-Max Ayina Ohandja⁶

¹Laboratoire de Mécanique et Productique (LMP), UFD SI, Université de Douala, Douala, Cameroun.
²Laboratoire d’Analyse, Simulations et Essais (LASE), IUT, Université de Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundere, Cameroun.
³ENSTIB-LERMAB, Nancy University, 27 rue du Merle Blanc, Epinal, France.
⁴Department of Physics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA.
⁵Applied Research & Innovation, Nova Scotia Community College, Dartmouth, Canada.
⁶Laboratory of Materials Mechanics, Structures and Integrated Manufacturing, National Advanced School of Engineering, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

This work investigates the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of tannins extracted from wood for composite materials manufacturing. Sustainable knowledge (in terms of physico-chemical properties and behaviours) of the material is needed to further enhance its applications. The condensed tannins extracted from the Bark of Ficus platyphylla (BFP) and the Bark of Vitellaria paradoxa (BVP) were analyzed using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight (MALDI-TOF), Mass Spectroscopy and Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Mid-InfraRed (ATR-FT MIR) spectra in the ranges 1800 cm^-1 and 600 cm^-1, as well as using CP MAS ¹³C-NMR. It was found that, these two tannins are procyanidin/prodelphinidin and made up of catechin/epicatechin, gallocatechin/epigallocatechin units, fisetinidin, galloyl and carbohydrates residues. Furthermore, BFP and BVP tannin bonded particleboard densities lie in the range recommended by NF EN 326-1994 standard. The resins also yielded good internal bond strength results of the panels, above relevant international standard specifications minimum requirements for interior-grade panels. The Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy Analysis (TEM/ EDXA) are showing the ultrastructure and reveal that most of the resin material appears to be in an amorphous phase mainly composed of carbon/oxygen with small amounts of K, Ca and Mg. These particles have a very irregular morphology.

Wood Condensed Tannins, Fibre/Matrix Bond, Mechanical Properties, Active Correlated Transmission Electron Microscopy (ACTEM), Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight (MALDI-TOF)

Ntenga, R. , Pagore, F. , Pizzi, A. , Mfoumou, E. and Ohandja, L. (2017) Characterization of Tannin-Based Resins from the Barks of Ficus platyphylla and of Vitellaria paradoxa: Composites’ Performances and Applications. Materials Sciences and Applications, 8, 899-917. doi: 10.4236/msa.2017.812066.