Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Improving color stabilization in thermally modified wood by pretreatment with aluminum sulfate vacuum impregnation

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Wood and Wood Products Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The poor anti-weathering performance of thermally modified wood often influences the appearance and service life of wood exposed to an outdoor environment. In this study, wood samples exhibiting ultraviolet (UV) resistance were successfully fabricated by joint aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3) impregnation and thermal modification, and the samples were subjected to accelerated weathering reaching 144 h. Time–dependent changes in the surface color of the control samples and treated samples during weathering were evaluated. Chemical and morphological alterations were analyzed by UV spectrophotometry, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that incorporating Al2(SO4)3 into the specimens helped prevent both the photooxidative degradation of lignin and the formation of degradation products. The anti-weathering performance of thermally modified wood pretreated by Al2(SO4)3 impregnation improved because the negative effects of ultraviolet light and water on the wood surface were controlled by the high temperature resistance and encapsulation of the hydrolyzed aluminum flocs. The thermal stability also improved in the impregnated–thermally modified samples, as confirmed by the TG results.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and material

All data are fully available without restriction.

Code availability

Not applicable.

References

  • Badji C, Soccalingame L, Garay H, Bergeret A, Benezet JC (2017) Influence of weathering on visual and surface aspect of wood plastic composites: correlation approach with mechanical properties and microstructure. Polym Degrad Stab 137:162–172

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Gao J, Fan Y, Tshabalala MA, Stark NM (2012) Heat-induced chemical and color changes of extractive-free black locust (robinia pseudoacacia) wood. BioResources 7(2):2236–2248

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cogulet A, Blanchet P, Landry V (2016) Wood degradation under UV irradiation: a lignin characterization. J Photochem Photobiol B 158:184–191

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deegan AM, Shaik B, Nolan K, Urell K, Oelgemoller M, Tobin J, Morrissey A (2011) Treatment options for wastewater effluents from pharmaceutical companies. Int J Environ Sci Technol 8:649–666

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Esteves BM, Pereira HM (2009) Wood modification by heat treatment: a review. BioResources 4:370–404

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao M, Zhu K, Sun YJ, Sun CY (2004) Thermal degradation of wood treated with amino resins and amino resins modified with phosphate in nitrogen. J Fire Sci 22:505–515

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao J, Kim JS, Daniel G (2018) Effect of thermal modification on the micromorphology of decay of hardwoods and softwoods by the white rot fungus. Pycnoporus Sanguineus Holzforschung 72:797–811

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • George B, Suttie E, Merlin A, Deglise X (2005) Photodegradation and photostabilisation of wood—the state of the art. Polym Degrad Stab 88:268–274

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gérardin P, Petrič M, Pétrissans M, Lambert J, Ehrhrardt J (2007) Evolution of wood surface free energy after heat treatment. Polym Degrad Stabil 92:653–657

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grause G, Chien M-F, Inoue C (2020) Changes during the weathering of polyolefins. Polym Degrad Stab 181:109364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo L, Guo ZP, Li XB (2018) Design and preparation of side chain electro-optic polymeric materials based on novel organic second order nonlinear optical chromophores with double carboxyl groups. J Mater Sci-Mater Electron 29:2577–2584

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang X, Kocaefe D, Boluk Y, Kocaefe Y, Pichette A (2012a) Effect of surface preparation on the wettability of heat-treated jack pine wood surface by different liquids. Eur J Wood Prod 70:711–717

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang X, Kocaefe D, Kocaefe Y, Boluk Y, Pichette A (2012b) A spectrocolorimetric and chemical study on color modification of heat-treated wood during artificial weathering. Appl Surf Sci 258:5360–5369

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katal R, Pahlavanzadeh H (2011) Influence of different combinations of aluminum and iron electrode on electrocoagulation efficiency: application to the treatment of paper mill wastewater. Desalination 265:199–205

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kiguchi M, Evans PD (1998) Photostabilisation of wood surfaces using a grafted benzophenone UV absorber. Polym Degrad Stabil 61(1):33–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim Y (2018) Current Researches on the Protection of Exterior Wood from Weathering Journal of the Korean. Wood Sci Technol 46:449–470

    Google Scholar 

  • Kocaefe D, Huang X, Kocaefe Y, Boluk Y (2013) Quantitative characterization of chemical degradation of heat-treated wood surfaces during artificial weathering using XPS. Surf Interface Anal 45(2):639–649

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li T, Cheng DL, Avramidis S, Walinder MEP, Zhou DG (2017) Response of hygroscopicity to heat treatment and its relation to durability of thermally modified wood. Const Build Mater 144:671–676

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu XY, Timar MC, Varodi AM, Yi SL (2016) Effects of ageing on the color and surface chemistry of paulownia wood (P. elongata) from Fast Growing Crops. BioResources 11(4):9400–9420

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu XY, Timar MC, Varodi AM (2019) A comparative study on the artificial UV and natural ageing of beeswax and Chinese wax and influence of wax finishing on the ageing of Chinese Ash (Fraxinus mandshurica) wood surfaces. J Photochem Photobiol B 201:111607

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen TT, Nguyen THV, Ji XD, Yuan BN, Trinh HM, Do KTL, Guo MH (2019) Prediction of the color change of heat-treated wood during artificial weathering by artificial neural network. Eur Wood Prod 77:1107–1116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nikolic M, Lawther JM, Sanadi AR (2015) Use of nanofillers in wood coatings: a scientific review. J Coat Technol Res 12:445–461

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oberhofnerova E, Panek M, Podlena M, Pavelek M, Sterbova I (2019) Color stabilization of Siberian and European larch wood using UVA, HALS, and nanoparticle pretreatments. Forests 10(23):12

    Google Scholar 

  • Ou R, Xie Y, Wang Q, Sui S, Wolcott MP (2014) Thermal, crystallization, and dynamic rheological behavior of wood particle/HDPE composites: effect of removal of wood cell wall composition. J Appl Polym Sci 131:2928–2935

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozgenc O, Durmaz S, Sahin S, Boyaci IH (2020) Evaluation of the weathering resistance of waterborne acrylic- and alkyd-based coatings containing HALS, UV absorber, and bark extracts on wood surfaces. J Coat Technol Res 17:461–475

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pandey KK (2005) Study of the effect of photo-irradiation on the surface chemistry of wood. Polym Degrad Stab 90:9–20

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qu L, Qian J, Gao J, Wang Z, Yi S (2021) Effect of aluminum sulfate impregnation heat joint treatment on color changes of Chinese fir. Wood Sci Technol 55:379–401

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rahbar M, Alipour E, Sedighi R (2006) Color removal from industrial wastewater with a novel coagulant flocculant formulation. Int J Environ Sci Technol 3(1):79–88

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz AM, Sakai G, Cornet A, Shimanoe K, Morante JR, Yamazoe N (2003) Cr-doped TiO2 gas sensor for exhaust NO2 monitoring. Sens Actuators B93:509–518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandoval-Torres S, Jomaa W, Marc F, Puiggali J-R (2010) Causes of color changes in wood during drying. For Stud China 12(4):167–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi Q, Jiang JH (2011) Color Stability of Heat-Treated Okan Sapwood during artificial weathering. Adv Mater Res 197–198:13–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stark NM, Matuana LM (2007) Characterization of weathered wood–plastic composite surfaces using FTIR spectroscopy, contact angle, and XPS. Polym Degrad Stab 92:1883–1890

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun JX, Sun XF, Sun RC, Fowler P, Baird MS (2003) Inhomogeneities in the chemical structure of sugarcane bagasse lignin. J Agric Food Chem 51:6719–6725

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun Q, Yu H, Liu Y, Li J, Lu Y, Hunt JF (2010) Improvement of water resistance and dimensional stability of wood through titanium dioxide coating. Holzforschung 64(6):757–761

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Timar MC, Varodi AM, Gurau L (2016) Comparative study of photodegradation of six wood species after short-time UV exposure. Wood Sci Technol 50:135–163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tomak ED, Yazici OA, Parmak EDS, Gonultas O (2018) Influence of tannin containing coatings on weathering resistance of wood: combination with zinc and cerium oxide nanoparticles. Polym Degrad Stab 152:289–296

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tomczak F, Sydenstricker THD, Satyanarayana KG (2007) Studies on lignocellulosic fibers of Brazil. Part II: Morphology and properties of Brazilian coconut fibers. Compos A Appl Sci Manuf 38:1710–1721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao P, Ru L, Jinzhen C (2015) Characterization of surface chemistry and crystallization behavior of polypropylene composites reinforced with wood flour, cellulose, and lignin during accelerated weathering. Appl Surf Sci 332:253–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu CH, Li BG, Yang HF, Luo QQ (2020) Preparation of ammonium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate/stearic acid composite material and its phase-change heat-transfer characteristics. Int J Energy Res 44:2061–2071

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2018YFD0600305).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing Key Laboratory of Wood Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China

    Lijie Qu, Jing Qian, Luxi He, Zhengbin He & Songlin Yi

Authors
  1. Lijie Qu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jing Qian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Luxi He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zhengbin He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Songlin Yi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

LQ and ZH: designed the experiments. LQ, LH and JQ: carried out the experiments. LQ and ZH: analyzed the data and wrote this manuscript. SY: gave valuable suggestions on the experiments and manuscript. LQ, LH, ZH and JQ: modified the manuscript in detail.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Zhengbin He or Songlin Yi.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Qu, L., Qian, J., He, L. et al. Improving color stabilization in thermally modified wood by pretreatment with aluminum sulfate vacuum impregnation. Eur. J. Wood Prod. 80, 331–343 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-021-01760-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-021-01760-9

Search

Navigation