Arginine-Grafted Chitosan: A Natural Solution to Tackle Formaldehyde and VOC Emissions

Formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are among the most common air pollutants released from fiberboards and other engineered wood materials. These substances not only cause unpleasant odors but also pose health risks when present in high concentrations.

To address this challenge, researchers have been exploring environmentally friendly purifiers that can effectively reduce emissions from wood-based materials. One promising approach involves amino acid–grafted chitosan derivatives, which combine chemical reactivity with physical adsorption to capture formaldehyde and VOCs more efficiently.

🔬 The Role of Arginine-Grafted Chitosan

In a recent study, two types of purifiers were developed — Arginine–Chitosan (Arg-CTS) and Arginine–Chitosan Quaternary Ammonium Salt (Arg-CQAS). These purifiers were applied to fiberboard surfaces to evaluate their ability to remove formaldehyde, VOCs, and odor compounds.

The results were impressive:

• Arg-CTS reduced formaldehyde emissions by 57.89%.

• Arg-CQAS achieved a higher reduction of 75.00%, thanks to the combined effects of chemical reaction and physical shielding.

Both purifiers also showed a clear removal effect on aldehyde, ketone, alcohol, and acid-type VOCs. More importantly, they significantly lowered the odor activity values (OAV) of major odor-causing compounds such as hexanal, heptanal, octanal, and nonanal. After applying Arg-CQAS, the overall odor grade of the fiberboard decreased from level 3 to level 2, representing a noticeable improvement in air freshness.

🌊 Why Chitosan Quaternary Ammonium Salt (CQAS)?

CQAS, a water-soluble derivative of chitosan, is obtained by introducing hydrophilic quaternary ammonium groups into the chitosan molecular chain. Compared to raw chitosan, CQAS offers:

Excellent water solubility, making it easier to apply as coatings or film-forming agents.

Enhanced adhesion to cellulose-based materials such as wood fiber.

Stable performance under neutral and slightly alkaline conditions.

These properties make CQAS an ideal carrier for amino acids like arginine, enabling the formation of reactive and efficient air-purifying coatings that not only trap formaldehyde but also neutralize VOCs through molecular interactions.

🌱 Toward Greener, Healthier Indoor Spaces

By combining natural polymers with biological functional groups, arginine-grafted CQAS offers a sustainable pathway to cleaner indoor environments. Its dual action — chemical capture and physical barrier — enhances air purification performance without relying on synthetic additives or harmful chemicals.

At Hainan Sincere Industries Co., Ltd. , we supply high-quality Chitosan Quaternary Ammonium Salt (CQAS) that serves as a versatile material for advanced coating formulations, biopolymer research, and eco-friendly air purification applications.

If your company or research team is exploring chitosan-based solutions for environmental, coating, or biomedical use, we welcome collaboration and technical discussion.

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