The termite resistance of wood impregnated with nano-zinc oxide and nano-zinc borate dispersions

IRG/WP 16-30691

C Lykidis, T de Troya, M Conde, J Galván, G Mantanis

In this work, the effects of the impregnation with nano-ZnO and nano-ZnB dispersions on the termite resistance of European beech wood were investigated. Three different concentrations (namely 0.5%, 1% and 2%) of the above two materials were tested. Water leaching effect was also investigated. It was concluded that a severe effect in terms of termite workers mortality is induced by the use of both dispersions even at the lowest concentration. In terms of termite feeding, Nano-ZnO dispersions seem more efficient than nano-ZnB because they induce significant improvement at concentrations as low as 0.5% while nano-ZnB should be used at concentrations at least 1% in order to induce similar changes. Nano-ZnB dispersions are efficient in terms of termite resistance for concentrations at least 1%. Further increasing concentration to 2% resulted to a respective increase of termite durability. For both tested dispersions and for all tested concentrations water leaching did not induce significant increase of termite feeding.


Keywords: nano zinc oxide, nano zinc borate, impregnation, termite resistance, wood protection

Conference: 16-05-15/19 Lisbon, Portugal


Download document (389 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document