Uniform plasticization enabling large deformation of intact wood

Conventional wood-shaping strategies rely on energy-intensive processing or harsh chemicals that irreversibly alter wood structure. This work presents a sustainable alternative for unprecedented softening of bulk hardwood through treatment with blends of Cyrene and water. This green, low-energy approach uniformly plasticizes the entire wood matrix in the wet state, enabling pronounced, shape-defining deformations while preserving the native hierarchical architecture. Dynamic mechanical analysis reveals a substantial downward shift of the Tan δ relaxation peak, indicating enhanced molecular mobility of lignin and hemicellulose. X-ray diffraction demonstrates deep penetration of the solvent blend into cellulose crystalline domains, suggesting a strong perturbation of chain organization within the crystal lattice. As a result, Cyrene-water-treated wet wood exhibits markedly reduced stiffness and greatly increased flexibility, enabling large bending and twisting deformations compared with solely water-treated wood. After solvent removal, the shaped wood retains its imposed geometry without cracking or structural degradation. This strategy provides a green, cost-effective platform for shape-adaptable processing of intact wood into diverse macroscopic geometries and opens new opportunities for next-generation wood-based constructions. Conventional wood shaping often uses energy-intensive processes or harsh chemicals that permanently alter the material’s structure. Here, the authors introduce a sustainable, low-energy method to soften bulk hardwood using Cyrene–water blends, enabling significant shaping while preserving its natural structure.