Interpenetration of wood with NH2R-functionalized silica xerogels anchoring copper(II) for preservation purposes

Interpenetration of wood samples of pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) with hybrid inorganic–organic silica xerogels bearing amine functions able to coordinate copper(II) cations has been successfully carried out. These materials have been prepared by sol–gel processing TEOS/APTES mixtures inside the wood. Solid state ²⁹Si NMR data provide evidence that the interpenetrated xerogel material has the same degree of condensation of the corresponding xerogel formed outside the wood. Copper(II) is effectively vehiculated inside the wood by coordination linkages with two ammine functions well evidenced by ESR measurements. SEM/EDX investigations show that the chlorine/copper atomic ratio inside the wood is lower than that of the starting salt CuCl₂, suggesting an exchange reaction with silanol groups with the formation of Si–O–Cu linkages and HCl. This reaction could be promoted by the excess of amine functions with formation of ammonium chloride species which remain onto the surface of the wood and in the mother solution owing to a higher degree of condensation. Sodium silicate was tested in place of TEOS in order to have a cheaper and ethanol-free formulation. However, gel penetration results significantly lower than that of the corresponding formulation containing TEOS and preservation performance are lower than that of TEOS formulation against brown-rot fungal decay.