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 within 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 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 within 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 treatment process and wood products thereof including a product formulation of a single phase solution combining a wood preservative (durable component) with a Flame Retardant component (FR) to produce a durable Flame Retardant (dFR) treated wood product. The durable component comprises a range of copper based and non-copper based wood preservatives, while the FR component comprises alkali metal silicates and alkali metal aluminate compounds. The dFR working solution undergoes chemical impregnation (treatment) followed by a heat (fixation) process step that locks the chemical into the wood making it non-leachable. The dFR treated wood products are tested for their enhanced fire performance properties. When heated, wood undergoes thermal degradation and combustion producing gases, vapors, tars and chars. Using a cone calorimeter burn test method, dFR treated wood products show a significant reduction in heat release rate, mass loss rate and smoke generated values compared to untreated radiate pine.

A method for preparing a wood preservative composition, includes modifying lignin with Na.sub.2B.sub.4O.sub.7 or NaNO.sub.3 and then with a chromium (II) salt, copper (II), cadmium (II) or zinc (II), for example, metal nitrates (Cr(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Cd(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2); to the preservative obtainable by this method; and to a method for preserving wood; and to the preserved wood. The preservative prevents degradation by xylophagous and fungal agents, and also improves some properties of the wood, and the hygroscopicity and fire resistance.

A method for preparing a wood preservative composition, includes modifying lignin with Na.sub.2B.sub.4O.sub.7 or NaNO.sub.3 and then with a chromium (II) salt, copper (II), cadmium (II) or zinc (II), for example, metal nitrates (Cr(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Cd(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2); to the preservative obtainable by this method; and to a method for preserving wood; and to the preserved wood. The preservative prevents degradation by xylophagous and fungal agents, and also improves some properties of the wood, and the hygroscopicity and fire resistance.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating wood to give it a desirable color that is durable over time, while at the same time rendering the wood resistant to fungal decay and insect attack. The wood may be pressure treated in a two-step process whereby the wood is first treated with a wood preservation composition, and then treated with a composition comprising pigments, or vice versa. Alternatively, the wood may be simultaneously treated with a composition comprising a wood preservative and a composition comprising pigments.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating wood to give it a desirable color that is durable over time, while at the same time rendering the wood resistant to fungal decay and insect attack. The wood may be pressure treated in a two-step process whereby the wood is first treated with a wood preservation composition, and then treated with a composition comprising pigments, or vice versa. Alternatively, the wood may be simultaneously treated with a composition comprising a wood preservative and a composition comprising pigments.

The invention relates to a method for the treatment of cellulosic material. The method is comprising the steps of impregnation of the cellulosic material and treatment of the impregnated cellulosic material by a fumigation step or an evaporation step. Impregnation is performed with a metal ion M and at least one ion precursor Z yielding an impregnated cellulosic material. The at least one ion precursor Z provides an anion A or an anion A and a cation Y comprised within at least one metal salt solution I or with a metal salt solution II comprising a metal ion M. The fumigation or evaporation step is yielding a cellulosic composite material comprising a compound M(NH4)A, MYA or M(OH)x, wherein M is a metal.

The present description relates to processes, water-based wood treatment solutions and kits for treating wood substrates so as to obtain colored (or altered) wood substrates, where mineral compounds that impart the color or other desirable characteristic(s) to the wood substrates are formed in the colored or altered wood substrates. The mineral compounds formed comprise the products of a chemical reaction which occurs between the wood substrate, a metal salt, and an oxygen source.

This invention refers to a method for producing magnetic cork particles comprising the steps of providing a composition of an alkaline solution and cork particles, with a size comprised between 1 nm and 2 mm, and stirring; Adding an acid solution containing Fe.sup.3+ and Fe.sup.2+ cations to the composition to cause the magnetization of the cork particles and maintaining the stirring; Filtering the solution obtained to obtain a magnetized cork particles precipitate, and washing the precipitate with water until the washed solution reaches a pH comprised between 4 and 7, and let dry until obtaining stabilized magnetized cork particles, wherein the magnetization of the cork particles is due to the formation of a magnetite coating on the particles, being the magnetite adsorbed on the particle surface. It also refers to magnetized cork particles thus obtained and their uses.