Magnetic property, thermal stability, UV‐resistance, and moisture absorption behavior of magnetic wood composites

Magnetic wood composites with improved anti‐ultraviolet property and dimensional stability were prepared by modification with iron oxides (Fe₃O₄/γ‐Fe₂O₃) via a facile one‐step hydrothermal method using ferric trichloride and ferrous chloride as the precursors at 90°C. The morphology, crystalline phase, and chemical structure of the wood composites before and after hydrothermal process were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicated that the magnetic nanoparticles precipitated on the wood substrate by adhesion to wood surface in the form of aggregates. A possible hydrothermal fabrication mechanism was proposed. After hydrothermal treatment, the magnetic wood composites exhibited appropriate magnetic and anti‐ultraviolet properties. Thermal analysis showed that the incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles retarded the thermal decomposition of wood matrix and improved the thermal stability of wood. Moreover, the dimensional stability of the modified wood materials was also evaluated. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1646–1654, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers