A molecular mechanics approach to the adhesion of urea-formaldehyde resins to cellulose. Part 2. Amorphous vs. crystalline Cellulose I

The average adhesion of urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins to amorphous cellulose appears to be lower than that to crystalline Cellulose I. Water appears to be able to displace UF resins on many sites of amorphous cellulose. Selected high attraction sites appear to still be able to give adequate adhesion. There are indications that UF resins' wetting of amorphous cellulose is independent of the resin water content. The energies of interaction of UF oligomers with amorphous cellulose and Cellulose I help in distinguishing between adhesion of UF resins of different stages of condensation. It is also shown that the molecular mechanics method outlined in this article can be used to scan UF adhesive formulations as regards resin adhesion to lignocellulosic substrates.