The investigation of surface properties of Populus nigra wood coated with silica nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of coating Populus nigra with silica nanoparticles on some performance parameters. Wood samples of P. nigrawere were coated with a combination of silica nanoparticles (3%, 5% and 7%) and zycosil by spin coating method and the obtained results were compared with controls of A. alba and P. nigra. Structural properties of wood samples were investigated by SEM and FTIR tests. Performance properties of wood samples, including water absorption, contact angle and density were investigated. The results showed formation bonds between silica nanoparticles and zycosil. Coating wood samples with silica nanoparticles in the concentrations of 5% and 7% in combination with zycosil decreased water absorption compared to P. nigra control (P<0.05). The wood samples coated with nanosilica and zycosil had a higher contact angle and density compared to P. nigracontrol (P<0.05).