Preparation of hydrophobic coating by phytic acid-based hybrid complexes to enhance the surface property of wood

In this report, we present a simple and rapid method for fabricating a hydrophobic coating of Phytic Acid-based hybrid complexes on wood surfaces to enhance their properties. This hydrophobic coating's micro/nanoscale coarse structure is constructed from a PA-Fe3+ coordination complex, and its low surface energy is further modified by impregnation with octadecylamine. Polyethyleneimine serves as an intermediate layer, tightly binding the wood to the PA-Fe3+ coordination complex. We characterized the microstructure, chemical composition, water contact angle, and anti-mold properties of the wood samples using SEM-EDS, FTIR, water contact angle tests, and anti-fungal tests. Further, we assessed the hydrophobic coating's chemical and environmental durability, contamination resistance, self-cleaning properties, and mechanical stability on composite wood. SEM-EDS and FT-IR mapping results confirmed that the PEI and PA-Fe3+ coordination complex were successfully coated on the wood surface, with long-chain octadecylamine grafted onto the complex particles. The composite wood with a 3-layer hydrophobic coating demonstrated superior surface properties, including a water contact angle of 145°, excellent chemical and environmental durability, contamination resistance, self-cleaning properties, and mechanical stability. Notably, it also exhibited superior anti-mold properties compared to the control.