Optically Transparent Wood from a Nanoporous Cellulosic Template: Combining Functional and Structural Performance.

WHO IS THIS RESEARCH RELEVANT TO AND WHY

Those involved in specifying or designing windows, and semi-transparent facades, when the idea is to let light in but maintain privacy. Transparent wood panels can also be used for solar panels.

ABSTRACT / DESCRIPTION

We report on the preparation of a nanoporous wood-based nanocellulose template enabling optically transparent wood (TW) for potential engineering applications, with an optical transmittance of 85% and haze of 71%. The resulting nanoporosity of the template is analyzed, then nanoscale structural tailoring of the cell wall nanocomposite is carried out and effects on optical and mechanical properties are investigated. Transparent wood is obtained through its nanoscale cellulose fiber network, and the removal of lignin combined with cell-wall impregnation using a polymer of tailored refractive index.

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Research Details


Author(s):

Yuanyuan Li

Qiliang Fu

Shun Yu

Min Yan

Lars Berglund


Research Organisation(s):

KTH Royal Institute of Technology


Date Published:

07/03/2016