Weathering properties of wood treated with 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane-TiO2

Plantation poplar is one of the most commonly used fast-growing woods in China. However, it is susceptible to weathering due to climatic conditions such as sunlight irradiation, rain, temperature changes, and oxidation. Ultraviolet (UV)-induced discoloration is a noticeable problem of this wood during its outdoor use. In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles were deposited onto a wood surface via a bridge of 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (IPTS). Accelerated weathering tests were conducted by exposing wood veneers to UV, water spraying, and condensation for 336 h to evaluate the treatment effect on their anti-weathering properties. During treatment, TiO 2 nanoparticles were bonded with IPTS and grafted onto the wood surface via the isocyanate group. The nanoparticles functioned as a UV filter and reduced photodegradation, while IPTS helped prevent the wood from collapsing. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the photodegradation of lignin during weathering was effectively inhibited after treatment. After artificial weathering for 192 h, the color difference (Δ E ) of both untreated and IPTS-treated woods increased up to 40 while that of IPTS-TiO 2 -treated wood increased only to 12. The results suggest that IPTS-TiO 2 modification is feasible for improving the anti-weathering properties of poplar wood and may provide an effective strategy for industrial wood modification.