Enhancing the superhydrophobicity, UV-resistance, and antifungal properties of natural wood surfaces <i>via in situ</i> formation of ZnO, TiO ₂ , and SiO ₂ particles

Abstract This study investigates the in situ synthesis and formation of zinc oxide (ZnO), silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ), and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) particles within the wood structure to modify the wood surface, aiming to improve the hydrophobicity, UV resistance, and antifungal properties of Scots pine and Norway spruce wood. The formation of particles in the modified wood and untreated wood surfaces was characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to study the microstructure and chemical composition, X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine the type of crystallisation, and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy to analyse the bonding forces. Results indicated that TiO 2 and SiO 2 treatments significantly improved both wood species’ surface hydrophobicity and UV resistance properties compared to ZnO-treated wood. On the other hand, ZnO treatment enhanced antifungal properties, offering effective protection against fungal decay in both wood species, while TiO 2 and SiO 2 showed less pronounced effects. This study showcases the potential of ZnO, SiO 2 , and TiO 2 particle treatments to enhance the surface properties of natural wood, paving the way for the effective and environmentally friendly development of hybrid wood for various applications in the wood industry and beyond.