Wood surface modification by in-situ sol-gel deposition of hybrid inorganic-organic thin films

Interest in the use of nanoparticles of iron, titanium, aluminum, and zinc oxides in transparent coatings for wood is increasing. Such nano-composite coatings have the potential of not only preserving the natural color of the wood, but also stabilizing the wood surface against the combined degradative effects of sunlight and moisture. The nanoparticles can be used as additives to coating formulations or deposited directly as thin films on a substrate. Thin film deposition can be accomplished by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor or by sol-gel deposition. This paper describes sol-gel deposition of a hybrid inorganic-organic thin film on wood using a mixture of metal-organic precursors and its effect on weathering properties of the wood surface.