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Strong and Superhydrophobic Wood with Aligned Cellulose Nanofibers as a Waterproof Structural Material †
Author(s) -
Li Yongfeng,
Chen Chaoji,
Song Jianwei,
Yang Chunpeng,
Kuang Yudi,
Vellore Azhar,
Hitz Emily,
Zhu Mingwei,
Jiang Feng,
Yao Yonggang,
Gong Amy,
Martini Ashlie,
Hu Liangbing
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chinese journal of chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1614-7065
pISSN - 1001-604X
DOI - 10.1002/cjoc.202000032
Subject(s) - cellulose , nanofiber , composite material , substrate (aquarium) , structural material , nano , materials science , mechanical strength , contact angle , nanoparticle , chemistry , nanotechnology , oceanography , geology , organic chemistry
Summary of main observation and conclusion Lightweight structural materials are important for the energy efficiency of applications, particularly those in the building sector. Here, inspired by nature, we developed a strong, superhydrophobic, yet lightweight material by simple in situ growth of nano‐SiO 2 and subsequent densification of the wood substrate. In situ generation of SiO 2 nanoparticles both inside the wood channels and on the wood surfaces gives the material superhydrophobicity, with static and dynamic contact angles of 159.4 o and 3 o , respectively. Densification of the wood to remove most of the spaces among the lumen and cell walls results in a laminated, dense structure, with aligned cellulose nanofibers, which in turn contributes to a high mechanical strength up to 384.2 MPa (7‐times higher than natural wood). Such treatment enables the strong and superhydrophobic wood (SH‐Wood) to be stable and have excellent water, acid, and alkaline resistance. The high mechanical strength of SH‐Wood combined with its excellent structural stability in harsh environments, as well its low density, positions the strong and superhydrophobic wood as a promising candidate for strong, lightweight, and durable structural materials that could potentially replace steel.