Enhanced functionality of Scots pine sapwood by in situ hydrothermal synthesis of GdPO4·H2O:Eu3+ Composites in woods matrix.

Luminescent lanthanide-doped phosphates have never been introduced as potential materials for wood functionalization. Wood–ceramic composites (WCC) may enable the extensive use of wood in construction due to different functionalization. Hence, this work proposes the inorganic GdPO 4 ·H 2 O:Eu3+ compound as an alternative and innovative method to increase wood chemical resistance and confer new optical properties. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood – ceramic composite was obtained through in situ hydrothermal synthesis and compared with the untreated sapwood specimens. The enhanced characteristics of the WCC samples were demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray computed micro-tomography (μCT), and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. Optical properties were determined by luminescence analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]