Abstract

In the present work, the solution precursor plasma spray (SPPS) process was used to deposit zinc oxide (ZnO) coatings on wood surfaces using zinc nitrate solution as precursor to improve the hydrophobicity and the color stability of European beech wood under exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. The surface morphology and topography of the wood samples and the coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The formation of ZnO was detected with the help of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The FTIR spectra of the coated samples showed the typical Zn–O band at 445 cm−1. According to the XPS analysis, the coatings consist of two different Zn-containing species: ZnO and Zn(OH)2. Variation of the deposition parameters showed that the most significant parameters affecting the microstructure of the coating were the solution concentration, the deposition scan speed, and carrier gas flow rate. The wettability behaviors of the coated wood were evaluated by measuring the water contact angle (WCA). The coatings that completely covered the wood substrates showed hydrophobic behaviors. UV-protection of wood surfaces after an artificial UV light irradiation was evaluated by color measurements and FTIR spectroscopy. The ZnO-coated wood surfaces were more resistant to color change during UV radiation exposure. The total color change decreased up to 60%. Additionally, the FTIR spectra showed that the wood surfaces coated with ZnO had more stability. The carbonyl groups formation and C=C-bonds consumption were significantly lower.

Highlights

  • Published: 4 February 2021Wood is an excellent and widely used sustainable building material for many products in the building industry and in furniture construction [1]

  • The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed that the wood surfaces coated with zinc oxide (ZnO) had more stability

  • Zinc oxide-based coatings are a suitable candidate for the UV-protection of wood in exterior applications because zinc oxide has excellent ultraviolet absorption due to its band gap of 3.4 eV, which corresponds to 360 nm

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Summary

Introduction

Published: 4 February 2021Wood is an excellent and widely used sustainable building material for many products in the building industry and in furniture construction [1]. Radiation, leading to an alteration and discoloration of the surfaces, which in turn affects the aesthetic appearance [2,3] To prevent this kind of aesthetic degradation resulting from. Zinc oxide-based coatings are a suitable candidate for the UV-protection of wood in exterior applications because zinc oxide has excellent ultraviolet absorption due to its band gap of 3.4 eV, which corresponds to 360 nm. It is a well-known costeffective material that is easy to synthesize, chemically inert, nontoxic, and environmentally friendly [4,5]. Functional protective coatings were deposited on wood surfaces using atmospheric pressure plasma technology [13,14]

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