Optimization and Analysis of Transparent Bamboo Performance Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Linear Analysis Method

Transparent bamboo (TB) is an attractive biomass-derived material. However, the interrelation between process parameter and product performance is not clear yet. In this paper, the process parameter during preparation is optimized by orthogonal experiment and finally TB with excellent optical and mechanical properties is successfully prepared. Among the investigated runs, TB-12 exhibited the best performance with high transmittance (89.2%), good color difference property (L: 76.8, A: 5.4, B: 5.9), and excellent tensile strength (119.3 MPa). As the final aim of this work, deeper insight into the interrelation between process parameters and product performance is also investigated by response surface methodology (RSM) and linear analysis method. Based on the analysis result, it can be concluded that i) X 2 - temperature is the most influential factor to the lignin content ( p -value = 0.0532) during delignification process; ii) during resin impregnation process, lignin content has strong correlation with optical property: for example, transmittance ( R 2 = 0.90423) and A value ( R 2 = 0.92073), but has no significant correlation with mechanical property (tensile strength: R 2 = 0.04186). Moreover, it is found that the correlation between lignin content and transmittance can be preliminarily predicted before the experimental start. This hypothesis has been validated by importing experimental data of previous references into the model. This work demonstrates a deep analysis of TB preparation process and may provide the referenced gist for parameter selection.