Formation and regulation mechanism of high-strength and durable superhydrophobic film on wood surface

Superhydrophobic modification of wood surface is a new way to improve the functionality of wood by integrating excellent properties such as waterproofing, anti-fouling, and self-cleaning. However, the mechanical stability and durability of superhydrophobic films have always been bottleneck issues limiting the application of superhydrophobic wood.

Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 31570554), Researcher Wang Xiaoqing and his research team at the Institute of Wood Industry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, successfully constructed an organic-inorganic hybrid superhydrophobic film with a controllable micro/nanostructure on the surface of wood using nano-self-assembly technology, inspired by the biomimetic principle of the "lotus effect." This film imparts mechanical wear resistance and self-healing properties. The team elucidated the influence of process parameters on the film's microstructure, morphology, hydrophobicity, and mechanical stability, revealing the formation and regulation mechanisms of strong and durable superhydrophobic films. This research provides theoretical insights and technical support for the practical application of superhydrophobic wood. Their findings have been published in leading domestic and international academic journals, including Materials & Design, Applied Surface Science, Holzforschung, and the Journal of Nanjing Forestry University. The team has also been granted two national invention patents.

Using natural balsa wood as raw material, a highly reusable, highly elastic wood sponge oil-absorbing material was created through wood cell wall structure manipulation and hydrophobic functionalization, expanding the application of superhydrophobic wood in oil-water separation. The research results were published in ACS Nano, a leading international journal in the field of nanomaterials, and were highlighted in scientific media such as American Chemical Society Newsweek and Science News.

Wood sponge oil absorbing material

Source: Chinese Academy of Forestry