ABSTRACT Hybrid metallosaccharide (MS) thin films offer strong potential for functionalizing cellulose‐based substrates. They benefit from the chemical similarity and compatibility between saccharides and cellulose, while the incorporated metal allows fine‐tuning of the film's chemical and physical properties. Here, titanium‐based MS films are deposited by molecular layer deposition (MLD) and evaluated as protective coatings for shielding wood from environmental damage. D‐(‐)‐ribose is employed as the saccharide precursor for growing a Ti‐ribose hybrid film at the vapor‐solid interface. The deposited films exhibit excellent conformality, uniformity, and adhesion on model substrates, including Si wafers and ZrO 2 particles, and form coherent coatings on wood surfaces. Structural and chemical characterizations confirm the hybrid nature and conformality of the films on accessible wood surfaces, without penetration into the dense cell wall structure. Compared with the D‐(‐)‐ribose/Al analogue, Ti‐ribose films displayed enhanced physicochemical stability, pronounced water repellence, suppressed moisture diffusion, improved dimensional stability and elevated resistance to acidic and alkaline environments. These results highlight titanium‐based MS films, deposited by MLD, as a stable, non‐invasive, and sustainable approach for the protection of wood‐based materials. Moreover, the coating does not alter the natural appearance or color of the wood, indicating good compatibility with requirements for cultural heritage conservation.
Wang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.