Chemical characterization of wood treated with a formulation based on propolis, caffeine and organosilanes

The aim of the study was to present chemical characteristics of a potential wood protection system composed of three chemical components. The paper presents preliminary results of chemical and biological analysis of wood treated with a mixture of 30% ethanol extract of propolis, caffeine and organosilanes: methyltrimetoxysilane (MTMOS) and octyltriethoxysilane (OTEOS). The sapwood of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) was impregnated with the above mentioned solution by vacuum method. The samples of wood treated with preservative were subjected to accelerated aging procedure according to EN 84 and subsequently to mycological tests according to the modified EN 113. Structural analysis of the treated wood was performed using infrared spectroscopy FTIR. The concentration of silicon in wood samples was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry AAS. The percentage content of nitrogen in wood samples was determined by elementary analysis EA. Slight differences in nitrogen and silicon content recorded in wood samples following impregnation and leaching confirm the permanent character of bonding between the propolis-silane-caffeine preparation and wood. The stable character of Si–C and Si–O bonds was shown in IR spectra and discussed in detail in this paper.