Modification and Characterization of Nano-Ag/Ti Antimold Agent for Wood Materials

Nano-Ag/Ti[O.sub.2] exhibits effective antimicrobial activities; however, its tendency to aggregate limits its application in wood products for improved antimold properties. In this study, nano-Ag/Ti[O.sub.2] was modified by a silane coupling agent ([gamma]-aminopropyltriethoxysilane [KH-550]) and then loaded into wood via vacuum impregnation. The effects of KH-550 concentration, Ag/Ti[O.sub.2] concentration, reaction temperature, and incubation time on the antimold rate, loading amount, and leach resistance for wood materials were investigated. Results showed that the antimold rate, loading amount, and fixation rate of mold-proof-treated wood was strengthened by KH-550 modification. The binding affinity and surface energy of nano-Ag/Ti[O.sub.2] was reduced, and the dispersivity of nano-Ag/Ti[O.sub.2] particles was improved after modification. Observation by field emission scanning electron microscopy showed that the modified nano-Ag/Ti[O.sub.2] penetrated into the wood tracheids and formed a tight flocculent structure. X-ray diffractive analysis confirmed that modification did not affect the anatase diffraction pattern of nano-Ag/Ti[O.sub.2] or its photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities. Characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that modified nano-Ag/Ti[O.sub.2] efficiently cross-linked with wood hydroxyl groups. This work provided a simple and effective method to develop a novel nano-Ag/Ti[O.sub.2] antimold agent for wood mold-proof treatment.