Abstract
The hydrophobicity and color stability of wood are important properties that can be easily changed when wood is used as a raw material for outdoor products, reducing the service life of wood. Herein, an epoxy@ZnO coating was applied by a two-step simple spray coating method to improve the hydrophobicity and color stability of Styrax tonkinensis wood. The hydrophobicity, robustness of coating, as well as the color stability of uncoated wood samples and epoxy@ZnO coated wood samples were evaluated. The microstructure morphology and crystal structures of the coating were also characterized by a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, respectively. Results showed that the obtained epoxy@ZnO coating was not only superhydrophobic with an average water contact angle of 154.1°, but also maintained superhydrophobicity with an average water contact angle of 149.6° after five water jetting tests. The color stability of the coated wood samples was improved by around 50% compared to that of uncoated wood samples. Additionally, a continuous epoxy@ZnO coating with hierarchical micro/nanoscale structures constructed by the wurtzite hexagonal structure of ZnO micro/nanoparticles on wood surfaces was confirmed.
Highlights
Wood is a natural, environmentally-friendly material used in many applications, such as furniture, construction, interior decoration, and outdoor products
A epoxy@zinc oxide (ZnO) superhydrophobic coating was successfully applied on Styrax tonkinensis wood by a two-step spray coating method
Both ZnO coating and epoxy@ZnO coating played a part in a continuous epoxy@ZnO coating with hierarchical micro/nanoscale structures constructed by wurtzite hexagonal structure of ZnO micro/nanoparticles
Summary
Environmentally-friendly material used in many applications, such as furniture, construction, interior decoration, and outdoor products. When wood is used in outdoor applications, it is difficult to avoid exposure to water or moisture and ultraviolet (UV) rays from solar radiation. The dimensional stability and exterior performance of wood, as well as its mechanical and physical properties, may be reduced because of contact with water [1,2]. Construction of a coating with water-resistant and UV-resistant properties is an excellent solution to prevent or reduce the weathering problem. Such a coating will be useful in minimizing direct contact between wood and water, as well as ultraviolet rays from sunlight
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