Comparative study on acetylation, furfurylation, and silicification treatments for improving water resistance and durability of Korean wood materials

As a valuable biological resource, wood plays a vital role in human societal development. However, wood undergoes biotic and abiotic degradation and dimensional instability, which limit its applications. Wood modification techniques, including acetylation, furfurylation, and silicification, can help enhance the durability and sustainability of wood. However, the effectiveness of these methods varies depending on the wood species and origin, emphasizing the need for further research to refine these techniques and enhance the wood performance for diverse industrial applications. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of three modification methods for Korean domestic wood species by assessing their effects on the weight% gain (WPG), equilibrium moisture content, water absorption, anti-swelling efficiency, and fungal decay resistance. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR)–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were conducted for the chemical and structural characterization of modified wood. The applicability of the modification methods was tested using five Korean domestic woods, sampled from Radiata pine, Korean red pine, Japanese larch, Hybrid poplar, and Sawtooth oak. The results showed that furfurylation produced the highest WPG, water resistance (WR), dimensional stability, and fungal decay resistance among the modification methods on all the tested wood materials. Acetylation and silicification also enhanced the dimensional stability and fungal decay resistance; however, the WR differed depending on the wood species and type. This study provides valuable insights into the applicability of three modification methods for improving the durability and performance of Korean domestic wood species and contributes to the sustainable utilization of wood in various industries.