Hyperbranched organic-inorganic co-modification improves the strength, dimensional stability, and thermal stability of poplar wood

High-strength, dimensionally-stable, moisture-absorbing, and heat-insulating materials are critical for ensuring the safety of building structures and human comfort. As a natural moisture-adjusting and heat-insulating material, wood is widely used in buildings, but its low strength and flammability pose safety hazards. This paper reports a simple method to construct an organic-inorganic hyperbranched structure in poplar wood (WSi-Al-EP). The bending and compressive strength of WSi-Al-EP reached 103.50 MPa and 80.41 MPa, respectively. This composite wood material exhibited high strength and stable performance, and it also improved the shortcomings of traditional inorganic-modified materials such as unstable sizes and the loss of modifiers. Moreover, the material did not burn in a long-term high-temperature flame, indicating its heat and combustion resistance, and showing that it can be used in wooden building structures.

Automated summary

High-strength, dimensionally-stable, moisture-absorbing, and heat-insulating materials are crucial for building safety and human comfort. Wood is commonly used in construction due to its natural moisture regulation and insulation properties, but its low strength and flammability present safety hazards. This study presents a simple method to create an organic-inorganic hyperbranched structure in poplar wood (WSi-Al-EP). The resulting composite wood material demonstrates high strength, stability, as well as improved shortcomings of traditional inorganic-modified materials, and exhibits resistance to heat and combustion, making it suitable for use in wooden building structures.