Abstract Moisture content control is a very effective way of protecting timber. Treatments with environment-friendly, biodegradable tall oil are known to reduce the capillary water uptake of pine sapwood greatly, but despite the good results achieved there have been two problems that limit the use of tall oil for wood protection, the large amount of oil needed and the tendency for the oil to exude from the wood. This work was undertaken in order to obtain an understanding of the mechanism of wood protection by means of crude tall oil (CTO) and to find technical solutions to the main problems limiting its use for industrial wood protection. It is shown that the emulsion technique is one way of solving the first problem, as it provides high water-repellent efficiency at considerably lower oil retention levels. The fact that water is used as a thinner in this technique instead of the commonly used organic solvents is beneficial from environmental, economic and safety points of view. It is also shown that although the drying properties of CTO are inadequate for use as such in wood preservation, its oxidation and polymerization can be accelerated considerably by means of iron catalysts, which prevent the oil from exuding out of the wood. This also increases the water repellent efficiency of CTO treatment. Most impregnation oils do not dry when applied in large quantities, because they hinder the diffusion of air through the wood, which supplies the necessary oxygen. Limiting of the oil uptake by the means of the emulsion technique disturbs the airflow to a lesser extent, and thus enhances the drying process. Hence, both the emulsion technique and the use of an iron catalyst improve both the water-repellent efficiency of tall oil treatment and the rate of drying of the oil, thus solving the two main problems related to wood impregnation with tall oil in one single-stage treatment which can be used in existing wood preservation plants. This is advantageous from both an industrial and an economic point of view.

No description available.

This study examined the feasibility of using (BETA)-cyclodextrins ((BETA)CDs), which are derived from starch, as agents to stabilize volatile and leachable biocides for the protection of wood and wood composites. The encapsulation of volatile natural antimicrobial compounds, such as allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and essential oils (EOs), in βCDs was qualitatively confirmed by Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) method and the maximum inclusion yield was quantitatively estimated by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV/VIS) while the partial fixation of leachable borates with βCD was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. The efficacy of the βCD complexes as wood preservatives of southern yellow pine and randomly Oriented Strand Board (OSB) was examined in soil block tests (AWPA E10-16 and E22-16 standard). The results indicate that (A) (BETA)CDs suppress the premature leaching of otherwise volatile natural compounds and suggest a novel approach to the application of volatile or water-immiscible natural preservatives for wood and wood composites protection; (B) (BETA)CD can be used as an agent for partial fixation of boric acid to form boric acid esters. However, the borate esters are susceptible to leach out after AWPA E11 test and not suitable for protection against Gloeophyllum trabeum and Postia placenta in outdoor conditions.

The theoretical part summarizes pieces of knowledge about the most common defects and wood pests including their impact on the properties of the material. The following practical part describes the destructive testing of wood - its course, calculation and evaluation of results. The final section is devoted to the structural and chemical wood protection. There are introduced basic principles and methods of protection and in the last chapter there are some examples of companies in our region that performs chemical protection.

Wood is a renewable resource and versatile material used in tasks ranging from tools and furniture to advanced engineering structures. Although wood is light, mechanically robust, environmentally friendly, and abundant, some inherent properties of wood, such as degradation due to moisture and UV radiation from sunlight, are less desirable for extended service life and dimensional stability. In this dissertation, a novel surface modification of wood is explored by depositing nano-sized titania particles on wood veneers and cross-laminated timber (CLT) blocks by liquid-precursor flame spray pyrolysis to confer reversible wettability switching and enhanced durability to UV irradiation. The reaction between a flame source and a titanium precursor in isopropyl alcohol under controlled air pressure created a micrometer-scale thin TiO2 coating on wood that turns the treated wood superhydrophobic with a water contact angle (WCA) of >=150°. Morphological studies suggest the coating is comprised of sub-100 nm TiO2 individual and aggregated particles, creating a very porous microstructure. The coating consists of TiO2 rich in the anatase phase (>60%) with an average crystal size of 18 and 32 nm for the anatase and rutile phases, respectively. The wettability switching characteristics of the surface of TiO2-wood veneers from superhydrophobicity to superhydrophilicity (WCA ~0°) and again back to superhydrophobicity are examined through UV exposure (0.0032 W/m2), WCA measurements, and vacuum drying at ~0.14 mbar. The color and gloss spectrometry results of the TiO2-treated CLT samples indicate that the coating offered better resistance to discoloration and gloss change than the uncoated samples during the 8-week accelerated weathering conditions. The data shows that the FSP-treated CLT samples were more than two times more effective in preventing discoloration and changes in natural luster, as evidenced by the significant differences in L*, a*, b*, and gloss values. Moreover, the FSP treatment might have played a role in preventing weathering defects, such as splits and cracks. In addition, the FSP-treated CLT specimens were able to reduce variability in the samples more effectively than the control group. Overall, the findings of the study indicate that liquid-precursor FSP has the potential to serve as a facile, economically viable, and less energy-intensive approach to modify wooden surfaces for improved hydrophobicity, as well as to provide shielding against the deteriorating impacts of UV radiation and moisture exposure. Keywords: wood modification, flame spray pyrolysis, titania coating, superhydrophobic coating, particle deposition, wettability switching

Interest in the use of mass timber in building and construction is growing worldwide, this is due to the structural integrity and reduced environmental footprint of timber-based structures. Concerns associated with the biological and environmental degradation of mass timber necessitate the development of adequate protection strategies to ensure the durability of these products. Preservative treatment is a proven technique that increases the durability and performance of wood in-service and can also be applied to large-sized timber panels such as cross-laminated timber (CLT). Therefore, this study focused on investigating the feasibility of treating prefabricated 3- and 5-layer CLT panels with Copper-azole type C (CA-C) and micronized copper azole (MCA) preservatives. Further, we studied the effects of panel layup and thickness on the preservative impregnation in CLT. Based on the experimental results, we found adequate preservative penetration and retention in the treated 3- and 5-layer CLT panels, particularly in CA-C treated panels. Also, the lengthwise layup shows better treatment results in both CA-C and MCA-treated panels. In addition to the preservative-treatment of CLT panels, this dissertation covers the development of lignin-reinforced polyurethane adhesive (PUR) for bonding glue-laminated timber (Glulam). Herein, the glulam were fabricated and bonded using lignin-reinforced PUR at different wt% (1, 2, and 3) and tested for shear strength, wood failure and delamination. The lignin-treated PUR samples showed improved adhesion properties via high shear strength and reduced delamination compared to the control specimens. Thus, the lignin-reinforced PUR adhesive shows great potential as a bio-based and environment-friendly wood adhesive for producing glulam used in structural applications.

The thesis is focused on building and technological project balcony house in the Czech Třebové. The project contains all the essentials of building technology project that can be used for project implementation in practice. Instead of a plot is real and if the city Czech Třebová allow this construction, will be implemented by this work.

In dieser Arbeit werden die nanoskaligen Partikel von Magnesiumfluorid (MgF2) und Calciumfluorid (CaF2), die als Nano-Metallfluoride (NMFs) bekannt sind, auf ihr Potenzial zur Verbesserung der Beständigkeit von Holz-basierten Materialien untersucht. Ihre besondere Eigenschaft der geringen Wasserlöslichkeit ist Grundlage dafür, einen langanhaltenden Schutz des behandelten Holzes aufrechtzuerhalten, indem die Auslaugung von Fluorid reduziert wird. Die Partikelgröße der synthetisierten NMFs und ihre Verteilung in behandelten Holzproben wurde charakterisiert. Rasterelektronenemikroskopaufnahmen und der zugehörigen energiedispersiven Röntgenspektroskopie zeigen, dass Aggregate dieser Partikel eine homogene verteilung in der untersuchten Holzmatrix von behandelten Proben. Die Fluoridaggregate bilden eine Schutzschicht um die Zellwände und blockieren deren Hoftüpfel, dadurch ist der mögliche Fließweg für die Wasseraufnahme ins Holz eingeschränkt. Dies zeigt sich in erhöhter Hydrophobie des mit Nano-Metallfluorid (NMF)-behandelten Holzproben. Die biozide Wirkung der NMFs wurde gegen Braunfäulepilzen (Coniophora puteana und Rhodonia placenta), am Weißfäulepilz (Trametes versicolor) und den Termiten (Coptotermes formosanus) geprüft. Im Vergleich zu unbehandelten Proben weist das mit Fluorid behandelte Holz eine höhere Beständigkeit gegen Fäulnis und Termitenfraß auf. Obwohl alle NMF-Behandlungen den durch Fäulnis verursachten Masseverlust des Holzes reduzieren, zeigt nur eine kombinierte Behandlung mit MgF2 and CaF2 eine höhere Wirksamkeit gegen Fäulnis und Termitenfraß auf. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit zeigen, dass NMFs robust genug sind für Anwendungen im Freien mit Bodenkontakt. Darüber hinaus stellen sie aufgrund ihrer sehr schlechten Wasserlöslichkeit ein geringeres Risiko für die menschliche Gesundheit und Umwelt dar. Die neuartigen Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit zeigen das Potenzial von NMFs, die Lebensdauer von Baumaterialien aus nicht haltbarem Holz zu erhöhen. / In this study, nanoscopic particles of magnesium fluoride (MgF2) and calcium fluoride (CaF2) also known as nano metal fluorides (NMFs), were evaluated for their potential to improve wood durability. Their distinct property of low-water solubility is proposed to maintain long-lasting protection of treated wood by reducing the leaching of fluoride. Analytical methods were used to characterize the synthesized NMFs and their distribution in treated wood specimens. In nano metal fluoride (NMF) treated specimens, aggregates of these particles are uniformly distributed in the wood matrix as confirmed with scanning electron microscopy images and their corresponding energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy maps. The fluoride aggregates form a protective layer around the tracheid walls and block the bordered pits, thus reducing the possible flow path for water absorption into wood. This is reflected in the increased hydrophobicity of NMF treated wood. The biocidal efficacy of NMFs was tested against brown-rot fungi (Coniophora puteana and Rhodonia placenta), white-rot fungus (Trametes versicolor), and termites (Coptotermes formosanus). Compared to untreated specimens, the NMF treated specimens have a higher resistance to decay caused by brown-rot fungi, white-rot fungus, and termites. Although all NMF treatments in wood reduce the mass loss caused by fungal decay and termite attack, only the combined treatment of MgF2 and CaF2 has efficacy against brown-rot fungi and white-rot fungus. Similarly, wood treated with the combined NMF formulation is the least susceptible to attack by C. formosanus. In this thesis, it was proven that NMFs are robust enough for above ground contact outdoor applications of wood in permanent wetness conditions. Also, they pose a low risk to human health and the environment because they are sparingly soluble. Overall, the novel results of this study show the potential of NMFs to increase the service life of building materials made from non-durable wood.

The aim of this thesis was to introduce and apply the possibilities of using waste glycerol from biodiesel production and partly waste low-stiffen coolant from cars that could be applied in industry. At the beginning of the thesis is summarized biodiesel production and its world production. There is more developed biodiesel production in the Czech Republic and in the European Union and some European legal regulations and standards for biodiesel. Also described herein is a composition of biodiesel and the description of the technology of its production. In the theoretical section summarizes the physical and chemical properties of glycerol and there is also summarized the traditional use of glycerol as food, explosives, etc. There are also new procedures that were performed in the experimental part of the thesis. There are described the ion exchange mechanism, ion exchange resin properties and the properties of the acids and salts generated by neutralization with NaOH contained in the waste glycerol. Also is described herein the wood protection and properties of ethylene glycol coolants and properties of boroglycerol and boroglycol as protection for wood and mechanism of their preparation. Next is described the mechanism of dehydration of glycerol to acrolein and options which can perform the synthesis. In the experimental part, the pH of waste glycerol was measured, then was measured the exact amount of NaOH in the glycerol. There is also desribed cleaning of waste glycerol from NaOH using acidic cation exchange resins on columns, or by neutralization with oleic acid, lactic acid and CO2. Further syntheses were performed glycerol borate and ethylene glycol borate. Water amount in ethylene glycol and methanol with water amount in glycerol were found by distillation. Then were prepared boroglycol and boroglycerol. By the amount resulting from the amount of reaction water were observed reaction conditions H3BO3, Na2B4O7•10 H2O and glycerol. At the end was carried out experimental dilution resulting boroglycerol and boroglycol by ethanol, methanol, TMB. Finally, the diluted boroglycerol was deposited on wood. Dehydration of glycerol to acrolein under the catalytic action of KHSO4 was performed. The results are given all the results and discussed the possibility of using the knowledge gained in this work in the industry. In conclusion, there are listed the economic comparison using waste glycerol and crude oil as a raw material and also charts the development of oil prices in 40 years since 1970, and graph of the price of waste glycerol.

At the beginning of the thesis is summarized biodiesel production and its world production. There is more developed biodiesel production in the Czech Republic and in the European Union and some European legal regulations and standards for biodiesel. Also described herein is a composition of biodiesel and the description of the technology of its production. In the theoretical section summarizes the physical and chemical properties of glycerol and there is also summarized the traditional use of glycerol as food, explosives, etc. There are also new procedures that were performed in the experimental part of the thesis. Then, here are the proposed new procedures for processing waste glycerol and glycol, which were conducted in the experimental part of the thesis. There are described the ion exchange properties of the cation exchangers and also properties of salts generated by neutralization of NaOH in the waste glycerol with organic acids and CO2. There is also described wood protection, properties of ethylene glycol as coolant and properties of boroglycerols and boroglycols as protection for wood and mechanism of their preparation. Then there is described a mechanism of dehydration of glycerol to acrolein and options which can perform the synthesis. In the experimental part, the pH of waste glycerol was measured and then was measured the amount of NaOH in the waste glycerol. There is also desribed cleaning of waste glycerol from NaOH using acidic cation exchange resins on columns, or by neutralization with oleic acid, lactic acid and CO2. Further syntheses were performed glycerol borate and ethylene glycol borate. Water amount in ethylene glycol and methanol with water amount in glycerol were found by distillation. Then were prepared boroglycol and boroglycerol. By the amount resulting from the amount of reaction water were observed reaction conditions H3BO3, Na2B4O7•10 H2O and glycerol. At the end was carried out experimental dilution resulting boroglycerol and boroglycol by ethanol, methanol, TMB. Finally, the diluted boroglycerol was deposited on wood. Dehydration of glycerol to acrolein under the catalytic action of KHSO4 was performed. The results are given all the results and discussed the possibility of using the knowledge gained in this work in the industry. In conclusion, there are listed the economic comparison using waste glycerol and crude oil as a raw material and also charts the development of oil prices in 40 years since 1970, and graph of the price of waste glycerol. There is also discussed technological applicability of the methods used in practice.