The influence mechanism of TiO2 nanoparticle on wood aging resistance behavior in different environments

Titanium dioxide has been used as an efficient UV-reflecting agent in wood photodegradation resistance treatment due to its UV shielding effect, but the influence of its photocatalytic performance on the aging behavior of wood was still neglected. The objective of the present study was to investigate the potential and mechanism of anatase and rutile titanium dioxide (A-TiO 2 and R-TiO 2 ) in enhancing the weathering resistance of poplar. The weathering resistance of untreated poplar veneer (P), anatase titanium dioxide-modified poplar veneer (AP) and rutile titanium dioxide-modified poplar veneer (RP) was systematically evaluated by using accelerated weathering test methods. AP and RP exhibited excellent dimensional retention and color stability under UV radiation, relying on their UV shielding. However, it is interesting to note that RP still showed a relative weathering advantage under the simultaneous presence of UV & water weathering, while AP exhibited a paradoxical accelerated aging phenomenon. The A-TiO 2 was proven to accelerate the degradation of lignin, resulting in destruction of the β-O-4-Linked structures characterized by 2D-NMR, which can be attributed to its photocatalytic properties.