Combined treatment for conversion of fast-growing poplar wood to magnetic wood with high dimensional stability

Magnetic wood with high performance was prepared from fast-growing poplar wood via a novel two-step combined treatment. The poplar wood was first magnetized via coprecipitation of ferric and ferrous ions and then polymerized in situ by impregnation with a furfuryl alcohol solution. The resulting products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The properties and morphology were also evaluated. The results showed that: (1) Fe3O4 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized in poplar wood, and the average size was 16 nm; (2) the magnetic properties of the composites were remarkable, and the magnetic stability and acid resistance of the modified wood were improved by the furfurylation; (3) after furfurylation, the magnetic wood recovered from the severe collapse induced by the magnetic treatment and exhibited high dimensional stability and water resistance.