Susceptibility of surface-modified superhydrophobic wood and acetylated wood to mold and blue stain fungi

• Published in: Progress in organic coatings Vol. 182; p. 107628
• Main Authors: Yin, Haiyan, Ringman, Rebecka, Moghaddam, Maziar Sedighi, Tuominen, Mikko, Dėdinaitė, Andra, Wålinder, Magnus, Swerin, Agne, Bardage, Stig
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2023
• Subjects: Acetylated wood; Blue stain; Chemical Engineering; Fungi; Hydrophobicity; Irradiation; Kemiteknik; Mold; Molds; Nanofilaments; Nanostructures; Silicone nanofilament; Silicone nanofilaments; Silicones; Stain fungi; Super-hydrophobic surfaces; Superhydrophobic; Superhydrophobic surface modification; Superhydrophobic surface modifications; Surface properties; Surface-modification; Surface-modified; Wood; Blue stain; Acetylated wood; Silicone nanofilaments; Mold; Superhydrophobic surface modifications
• ISSN: 0300-9440; 1873-331X; 1873-331X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.porgcoat.2023.107628

The susceptibility of surface-modified wood, surface-modified acetylated wood and acetylated wood to mold and blue stain fungi was investigated. The surface modifications were based on fluorinated and non-fluorinated silicone nanofilaments for increased hydrophobicity. Results showed an increased mold resistance of the surface-modified superhydrophobic wood with mold appearing later or with less intensity on the modified surfaces than on the untreated wood in accelerated mold chamber tests due to the increased water resistance of the samples. All acetylated wood samples exhibited good mold resistance as the available water in acetylated wood was reduced. The surface modifications on acetylated wood had a slightly negative effect on mold resistance due to side effects from the modification. The surface-modified wood showed high blue stain fungi coverage, whereas almost no blue stain fungi were observed on the acetylated wood and surface-modified acetylated wood. The surface-modified superhydrophobic wood showed high mold coverage after conditioning in a high-humidity environment or after exposure to UV irradiation. Meanwhile, the acetylated wood and surface-modified superhydrophobic acetylated wood showed a small amount of mold coverage in these conditions. [Display omitted] •Wood surfaces modified by superhydrophobic silicone nanofilaments show good mold resistance.•All acetylated wood shows good mold and blue stain fungi resistance.•Superhydrophobic surface modifications play a less important role in resisting mold and blue stain fungi for acetylated wood.•All preconditioned or UV-irradiated acetylated wood shows good mold resistance.•The good mold resistance of the superhydrophobic wood and acetylated wood is due to the reduced water uptake of the samples.