A maleic anhydride-mediated green and sustainable route for versatile wood platform

Wood has garnered renewed interest due to its capacity to reduce carbon emissions when replacing non-renewable materials. Wood modification is often necessary because achieving optimal performance solely from the wood itself is challenging. Strategies for wood modification fall short of being genuinely sustainable and eco-friendly. In this context, a catalyst-free esterification method mediated by maleic anhydride (MA) is introduced for modifying wood. Notably, this approach aligns with principles of recycling, reuse, and reduction. A comprehensive comparison of MA-mediated wood esterification versus TEMPO-mediated wood oxidization highlights the effectiveness and superiorities of the MA esterification approach. Delignified wood esterified by MA (MA-DW) exhibits higher charge content (2.42 ± 0.24 vs. 0.53 ± 0.08 mmol/g), superior mass gain (18.4 ± 2.6 wt% vs. −15.92 ± 3.5 wt%), efficient recycling capability of the reaction medium (MA could be recycled five times, while TEMPO cannot be recycled), and integrity of the final products (retaining intact geometry vs. complete disintegration) compared to TEMPO-oxidized delignified wood (TEMPO-DW). Moreover, the MA-DW platform can serve in energy storage applications as an electrode or in sewage remediation applications as a catalyst. The esterification method mediated by MA provides an eco-friendly pathway for modifying wood, serving as a platform for creating diverse materials, potentially offering innovative concepts and insights for wood modification research.