Radiata Pine Wood Treated with Copper Nanoparticles: Leaching Analysis and Fungal Degradation

Radiata pine is the main wood species used in Chilean construction industry, but it must be protected due to its low natural durability. Chemical protection of by impregnation allows for a more efficient utilization forest resources extending useful life. The use nanoparticles has garnered great interest during last decade, their unique physicochemical properties, different from those larger sized materials. In this research, radiata with copper (CuNP) was studied terms retention, penetration, leaching, and protective effect against rot fungi growth according EN 113, AWPA A3-91, A9-18, E11-16. Penetration analysis confirmed uniform distribution across wood, total penetration impregnated samples highest concentration solution CuNP. Retention values increased proportionally evaluated EDXRF. Leaching showed removal first hours test, constant leaching rate up 144 h. Impregnated mass loss (ML) exposure Gloeophyllum trabeum Rhodonia placenta were significantly reduced regardless CuNP or tested, an ML smaller than 5% 14% leached samples.