The use of nanoscale silicon oxide to improve the properties of natural wood

The aim of the work was to develop and study new compositions for the treatment of natural wood based on used vegetable oil with the addition of nanosized silicon oxide to obtain a wood composite with improved properties. The basis of the developed impregnating compositions was used frying vegetable oil. Additives of nanopowders of amorphous and crystalline silicon oxide were introduced into the compositions at a dosage of 0.01 to 0.5%. To modify wood, a stable suspension of synthesized silicon oxide nanopowders in used sunflower oil was prepared. The processing of wood samples was carried out by the method of “hot-cold impregnation”. The obtained wood composites with the addition of nanosized silicon oxide had improved hydrophobic properties of wood (an increase in the contact angle by 30%), increased moisture and water resistance (by 11 and 14 times, respectively), as well as reduced swelling in the tangential and radial (5 times) directions in comparison with natural wood after 1 day of testing. The optimal dosage of silicon oxide nanopowders (0.01%) was chosen. A comparative evaluation of the use of amorphous and crystalline silicon oxides in impregnating compositions based on used vegetable oil was carried out using birch wood as an example.