Effect of low energy ion beam irradiation on wettability of narra (Pterocarpus indicus) wood chips

Narra (Pterocarpus indicus) wood chips were irradiated with positive hydrogen ions H+ and H2+ to make them hydrophobic. The ions were produced and extracted from a gas discharge ion source. The extracted beam current ranges from 0.01 to 0.07 μA for discharge currents of 1.0-4.0 mA, discharge potential between 600 V and 1000 V. The chips, positioned at 70 mm downstream from the ion source, were processed for different time periods and discharge currents. The wettability was characterized by the contact angle of the liquid droplet with respect to the wood surface. Surface modifications were assessed with by measurements of the water contact angle. Tests indicate retarded absorption characteristics for ion-irradiated samples compared to controlled samples. The longest absorptive inhibition were exhibited by samples irradiated for 30 min, at discharge current of 1.0 mA, 720 eV ion energy and 0 V extraction potential. Scanning electron micrographs reveal the difference in morphologies of treated and untreated samples. The results prove that low energy beams of hydrogen from a gas discharge ion source are suitable in transforming surfaces of wood chips to be water resistant.