Hydrophobic treatment of wood fibrous thermal insulator by octadecyltrichlorosilane and its influence on hygric properties and resistance against moulds

The natural fibrous materials are widely used as thermal insulator for building application. The thermal insulating performance of natural fibrous material are affecting by the high humidity and temperature. Due to high moisture in natural fibrous insulators, they are very susceptible for microorganisms attack as well as the reduction in the thermal insulating properties. In this work, hydrophobic surface treatment was given to the wood fibrous insulator using octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS). The deposition of OTS monolayers on wood fibers surface was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and water contact angle of wood fibers measured by sessile drop method. The influence of hydrophobic treatment on hygric properties of wood fibrous insulator was characterized using especially designed double-climatic set-up. The effectiveness of hydrophobic treated wood fibers towards mould fungi growth was also examined. The hydrophobic treatment improved the hygric properties and effectiveness towards mould significantly.