Chemical improvement of surfaces. Part 4: Significantly enhanced hydrophobicity of wood by covalent modification with p-silyl-functionalized benzoates

One aim of this work was the chemical modification of surfaces of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood veneer chips by covalently bonded substances for improved hydrophobicity. The durable attachment of organosilyl moieties to the surface was in focus. Several benzotriazolyl-activated p-silylated benzoic acid derivatives were applied to the esterification of OH groups at different temperatures and reaction times. The reactions resulted in weight percent gains from 8% to 43% and corresponding quantities of covalently bonded organomaterials of 0.3–2.1 mmol g-1 wood. The hydrophobicity was significantly increased as indicated by contact angles from 121° to 142°. All modified wood samples were analyzed by attenuated total reflection-infrared, contact angle measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.