Effects of Coating Populus nigra Wood with Nanoclay

This study evaluated the effects of coating Populus nigra wood with nanoclay by dip-coating and spin-coating. The samples were coated with nanoclay in concentrations of 3, 5, and 7%, and the products were compared with Abies alba wood as standard control for the morphological and moisture properties. Zycosil was also added into nanoclay as an adaptive material. The crystalline and morphological structures were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Performance parameters including water absorption, contact angle, density, and flexural resistance were investigated. Water absorption was decreased, but the density, flexural resistance, and contact angle were increased in nanoclay treatments compared with the P. nigra control group (P<0.05). The best performance properties were observed at a concentration of 7%. In sum, the concentration of 7% nanoclay in dip-coating decreased water absorption by 250% and increased water angle by 150%, density by 113%, and flexural resistance by 145% compared to P. nigra control group.