Dual-detection analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions and antibacterial performance in sandalwood essential oil microcapsule-engineered wood flooring

This study evaluates the fragrance release performance of engineered wood flooring (EWF). The release characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from sandalwood essential oil microcapsule-engineered wood flooring (SEO-EWF) were investigated using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). GC–MS identified 51 VOCs and proved effective for the qualitative analysis of complex mixtures, while GC-IMS detected 27 VOCs with greater sensitivity, allowing for a more precise identification of trace components. The combined use of these two techniques successfully identifies the characteristic sandalwood oil VOCs, specifically α-santalol and β-santalol. The GC-IMS fingerprint spectrum and principal component analysis indicate significant differences in VOCs profiles between SEO-EWF and EWF. Antibacterial tests reveal that the melamine-formaldehyde (MF) microcapsule coating achieves inhibition rates of 88.86 % and 95.70 % against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus , respectively, representing increases of 54.00 % and 57.49 % compared with EWF. Furthermore, the MF microcapsule coating demonstrates superior antibacterial performance compared to the β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) microcapsule coating. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of fragrance-releasing antibacterial flooring and establish a combined multi-technique approach for detecting odors in new building materials.