Fabrication of Transparent Wood by Impregnation of Epoxy Resin into Modified Balsa Wood for Application in Energy Saving Materials

https://doi.org/10.62239/jca.2025.009

Abstract

Transparent wood, an innovative material, merges optical and mechanical properties for energy-efficient light transmission. Removing pigments like lignin is vital for enhancing light transmission and refractive properties, creating a robust framework. Polymers with suitable refractive indices are integrated into the pigment-treated wood to optimize light transmission while preserving refractive properties. This study introduces a method for producing transparent wood from balsa wood, prized for its lightness and stability, by stabilizing its structure in epoxy. FT-IR spectroscopy verifies stable structural bonds in the wood framework treated with lignin and epoxy composites. Optical analysis indicates light transmittance ranging from 43% - 70%, depending on the original wood thickness. Mechanical tests demonstrate transparent wood's superior elastic moduli compared to lignin and natural wood, indicating enhanced strength. SEM analysis illustrates epoxy filling the hollow tubes. These findings emphasize transparent wood's potential to supplant conventional materials in construction and solar energy panels, garnering interest from building materials and renewable energy sectors.