Ultraviolet resistance and photocatalytic activity of nano-TiO 2 -coated wood by magnetron sputtering

TiO 2 was magnetron-sputtered on wood to achieve ultraviolet (UV) resistance and photocatalysis. In this study, Populus tomentosa Carr was used as the substrate. The wood was treated with either polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), then deposited nano-TiO 2 films onto their surfaces via magnetron sputtering to fabricate nano-TiO 2 -coated wood. The microstructure, surface morphology, ultraviolet aging resistance, and photocatalytic performance of the nano-TiO 2 -coated wood samples were systematically characterized. The results show that after 90 min of magnetron sputtering, smooth, continuous, and dense amorphous nano-TiO 2 films were formed on both TiO 2 /PVA/wood and TiO 2 /PDMS/wood surfaces, with Ti mass fractions surface were 35 wt% and 38 wt%, respectively. After 110 h accelerated UV ageing, the total color differences (Δ E* ) of TiO 2 /PVA/wood and TiO 2 /PDMS/wood were 6.43 and 3.79, corresponding to 76 % and 87 % reductions compared with unsputtered sample, indicating excellent light stability. After 120 min of UV irradiation, methylene blue was catalytically degraded to 65 % and 48 % of its initial concentration, demonstrating good photocatalytic activity. In summary, magnetron sputtering deposition of nano-TiO 2 onto wood produces functional wood materials with enhanced UV aging resistance and photocatalytic properties. This work provides new insights for wood functional modification, indoor air purification, and green building material applications.