Open Access

REVIEW

Wood By-Products as UV Protection: A Consequence Review

Naglaa Salem El‑Sayed, Mohamed Hasanin, Samir Kamel^*

Cellulose and Paper Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt

* Corresponding Author: Samir Kamel. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Special Issue in Celebration of JRM 10 Years)

Journal of Renewable Materials 2024, 12(4), 699-720. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2024.049118

Received 28 December 2023; Accepted 29 February 2024; Issue published 12 June 2024

Abstract

In recent decades, the ozone layer has suffered considerable damage, increasing the entry of ultraviolet (UV) light into the atmosphere and reaching the earth’s surface, negatively affecting life. Accordingly, researchers aimed to solve this problem by synthesizing advanced UV-shielding materials. On the other hand, developing an easy and green strategy to prepare functional materials with outstanding properties based on naturally abundant and environmentally friendly raw materials is highly desirable for sustainable development. Because biomass-derived materials are sustainable and biodegradable, they present a promising substitute for petroleum-based polymers. The three main structural constituents of the plant biomass-based materials that are naturally available are cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. This review details current developments using wood-based products such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in UV-shielding applications. It will start with assembling the structure and chemistry of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, followed by their contributions to preparing UV-shielding materials. Finally, it will briefly discuss the different processing methods for the design of UV-shielding materials. The wood by-products offer additional opportunities to use the whole tree harvest.

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