Energy saving wood composite with temperature regulatory ability and thermoresponsive performance

Energy saving materials are economically and environmentally beneficial as they effectively reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, energy saving wood composite was prepared by injecting a methyl methacrylate dispersion containing a mixture of VO 2 (M)@SiO 2 core-shell nanocomposites and thermochromic microcapsules into wood templates. APTS was added to stabilize the suspension. The good compatibility between the injected substances and the wood template benefited from the PMMA and APTS that filled the cell lumen and bonded the substances, leading to energy saving wood composite with excellent dimensional stability, optical properties, and mechanical performance. More importantly, the energy saving wood composite exhibited outstanding temperature regulatory ability by shielding needless infrared radiation, resulting in thermal comfort. The unique properties of the energy saving wood composite could potentially be applied in building, furniture, thermal insulation, energy conversion, energy storage, and conservation.