Transparent Wood Fabricated with Natural Materials for Excellent Ultraviolet Protection Function and Energy-Efficient Housing Application

Abstract

Current research demonstrates the delignification of natural wood (NW) by chemical treatment. The delignified wood (DW) is subsequently impregnated with a biopolymer to create transparent wood (TW). A biopolymer was made by mixing egg white and rice extract at a higher temperature in the presence of an organic base, in a specific ratio. The final TW is flexible, optically transparent, and stable at room temperature and in the presence of oxygen. The modified TW exhibits enhanced optical and thermal properties compared with glass and NW. However, the mechanical properties are less attractive in the current form. The incorporation of silver nanowires (AgNWs) imparts electrical conductivity to the TW. Additionally, current TW exhibits biodegradability. Such modified TW materials would have tremendous potential as ultraviolet (UV) resistant, energy-efficient smart windows, as well as future wearable electronics that could also be biodegradable, opening a path toward sustainable, green, and carbon-neutral materials. Samples were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal and mechanical measurements.