Methods for treating cellulosic materials comprising introducing a liquid treating composition into the cellulosic material, the treating composition comprising an aqueous alkaline copper-containing solution comprising copper tetraammine carbonate; and exposing the cellulosic material provided thereby to carbon dioxide to provide treated cellulosic material.

Methods for treating cellulosic materials comprising introducing a liquid treating composition into the cellulosic material, the treating composition comprising an aqueous alkaline copper-containing solution comprising copper tetraammine carbonate; and exposing the cellulosic material provided thereby to carbon dioxide to provide treated cellulosic material.

A multifunctional broad spectrum antimicrobial composition is described. The composition can be incorporated into a wood preservative, or used as an additive to provide antimicrobial properties to water-based wood coatings. The composition is a concentrated water-miscible emulsion containing 3-iodo-2-propynyl N-butylcarbamate (IPBC), carbendazim (BCM) and propiconazole (PPCZ), and has antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of fungal organisms, including surface molds, blue stain fungi and wood rotting fungi. The composition can act as an in-can preservative and is useful for antimicrobial protection of wood and wood-based substrates.

A multifunctional broad spectrum antimicrobial composition is described. The composition can be incorporated into a wood preservative, or used as an additive to provide antimicrobial properties to water-based wood coatings. The composition is a concentrated water-miscible emulsion containing 3-iodo-2-propynyl N-butylcarbamate (IPBC), carbendazim (BCM) and propiconazole (PPCZ), and has antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of fungal organisms, including surface molds, blue stain fungi and wood rotting fungi. The composition can act as an in-can preservative and is useful for antimicrobial protection of wood and wood-based substrates.

Wood preservative compositions comprising a particulate copper compound in a solvent carrier with low aromatic content. Particulate copper dispersions in this composition demonstrated superior stability, and wood treated with the composition is protected from attack by wood decay fungi and termites. The invention is also directed to wood preservative compositions comprising: (a.) a biodegradable organic solvent carrier selected from the group consisting of vegetable oil, renewable resource oil, and biodiesel; (b.) a dispersion of solid particles of a metal compound having a particle size between about 0.005 microns to about 10 microns; (c.) an organic biocide; and (d.) a dispersant; ratio of the dispersant to the metal compound is from about 1:500 to about 100:1 (wt/wt). The invention is also directed to compositions comprising penflufen and solvent carriers. The invention is also directed to methods of treating wood using the compositions, and wood treated with the disclosed compositions and methods.

A flexible structure is formed by subjecting cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes hemicellulose and lignin therefrom. The treated wood has a unique 3-D porous structure with numerous channels, excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility, and improved flexibility as compared to the natural wood. By further modifying the treated wood, the structure can be adapted to particular applications. For example, nanoparticles, nanowires, carbon nanotubes, or any other coating or material can be added to the treated wood to form a hybrid structure. In some embodiments, open lumina with-in the structure can be at least partially filled with a non-wood substance, such as a flexible polymer, or with entangled cellulose nanofibers. The unique architecture and superior properties of the flexible wood allow for its use in various applications, such as, but not limited to, structural materials, solar thermal devices, flexible electronics, tissue engineering, thermal management, and energy storage.

A composition for a wood restorer with a stain, the composition comprising: a polymer emulsion, wherein the polymer emulsion comprises a styrene acrylic copolymer emulsion and a high density polyethylene emulsion, a stain, and a first water, wherein the first water forms the balance of the composition. A method of using the composition to cleanse a wood surface is also disclosed.

A composition for a wood restorer with a stain, the composition comprising: a polymer emulsion, wherein the polymer emulsion comprises a styrene acrylic copolymer emulsion and a high density polyethylene emulsion, a stain, and a first water, wherein the first water forms the balance of the composition. A method of using the composition to cleanse a wood surface is also disclosed.

A delignified wood material is formed by removing substantially all of the lignin from natural wood. The resulting delignified wood retains cellulose-based lumina of the natural wood, with nanofibers of the cellulose microfibrils being substantially aligned along a common direction. The unique microstructure and composition of the delignified wood can provide advantageous thermal insulation and mechanical properties, among other advantages described herein. The thermal and mechanical properties of the delignified wood material can be tailored by pressing or densifying the delignified wood, with increased densification yielding improved strength and thermal conductivity. The chemical composition of the delignified wood also offers unique optical properties that enable passive cooling under solar illumination.

A super strong and tough densified wood structure is formed by subjecting a cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes lignin therefrom. The treated wood retains lumina of the natural wood, with cellulose nanofibers of cell walls being aligned. The treated wood is then pressed in a direction crossing the direction in which the lumina extend, such that the lumina collapse and any residual fluid within the wood is removed. As a result, the cell walls become entangled and hydrogen bonds are formed between adjacent cellulose nanofibers, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the wood among other mechanical properties. By further modifying, manipulating, or machining the densified wood, it can be adapted to various applications.