Analysis of water adsorption by wood using the Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer equation

The Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) three-parameter sorption equation has been used to interpret the adsorption and desorption isotherms of water vapour measured for 21 important cultural heritage wood species used in the past for panel paintings and woodcarving. The equation is capable of describing the full shape of the isotherms and yields meaningful physical parameters, especially the monolayer capacity from which the water accessible specific surface area can be obtained. It is demonstrated that average sorption isotherms can be derived using the GAB equation for the sorption data available for sets of specimens and that moisture properties of various wood specimens or chemically modified wood can be more easily compared.