Improved wood properties via two-step grafting with itaconic acid (IA) and nano-SiO2

Abstract

Abstract Itaconic acid (IA) with its trifunctional structure was first introduced into the wood cell lumen and cell wall, which functions as a grafting anchor for fixing various polymers via strong chemical bonds. Then nano-SiO2 was grafted to the IA-modified wood. Field-emission scanning electron microscope revealed that the grafting experiment was successful and that the modified cell wall thickness increased by 65%. The incorporated hydrophobic nano-SiO2 substructure reduced the wood’s hygroscopicity and improved its dimensional stability. The thermal stability of the new composite was also excellent. The presented approach is simple and efficient and the probability is high that it can be up-scaled to a level of a large-scale engineering material.