Studying and imparting moisture absorption qualities of the new wood based bio-composite material

The paper reviews the method of creating a new bio-composite material based on birch wood and describes the mechanism of interaction of used motor oil with birch wood by infrared spectroscopy involved. It also provides data on the moisture absorption of the newly obtained composite. Used motor oil has high hydrophobic and antiseptic properties. The main chemical changes in oils occur as a result of its oxidation during engine operation under the temperature influence. However, the spectrum of spent engine oil is distinguished by the appearance of three new peaks: the wide peak of 3600-3000 cm⁻¹, which is formed during characteristic vibrations of the OH group, indicating water cut in the engine oil, a narrow peak of 1740 cm⁻¹, characteristic of stretching vibrations of the carbonyl group (C = O). In addition to these peaks, the other peak was detected at the 1150 cm⁻¹ frequency and, yet, another weakly pronounced peak of 970 cm⁻¹, which correspond to stretching vibrations of the peroxide group (C-O-O). The mechanism for impregnating wood with used engine oil has been developed. The moisture absorption of wood impregnated with spent engine oil is 3 times less than that of natural wood.