Wood surface modification with an arabinogalactan–silica composition

Abstract

In this work, a method is proposed for increasing the operational properties of wood by treating it with organomineral compositions based on arabinogalactan and silica. Scots pine (Pinus silvestris) was chosen as the object of the study. Three different treatments were used. One treatment was a pure aqueous solution of arabinogalactan, the second and third were compositions based on aqueous solutions of arabinogalactan with 5% and 10% (by weight) addition of highly dispersed silica, respectively. Arabinogalactan was used as a surfactant for silica nanoparticles and also as a film-forming agent. The hardness of the wood surface increased by 1.2–2.3 times and compressive strength along the fibers increased by 20–45% after treatment with an organic–mineral composition. Treatment with impregnating compositions did not lead to a significant decrease in moisture absorption and swelling.