1. Thermal energy storage and leakage prevention of phase change materials via one-step impregnation and in-situ polymerization process in hardwoodJakub Grzybek, Gabriel Zsembinszki, Emiliano Borri, Alina Meindl, Zuzana Paschová, Alexander Petutschnigg, Luisa F. Cabeza, Thomas Schnabel, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Wood is a versatile material widely used in building construction, but its low thermal mass limits its ability to regulate indoor temperatures and mitigate thermal load peaks. Phase change materials are effective at storing thermal energy, but when impregnated into wood, they leak out, compromising performance and restricting their use in buildings. This study introduces a novel one-step impregnation process combined with in-situ polymerization using furfuryl alcohol and a capric-stearic acid phase change material mixture to create a sustainable material for thermal energy storage. Various formulations were tested on European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to evaluate effectiveness of the approach. The results confirm that this method successfully prevents phase change material leakage. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry and nuclear magnetic resonance verified that phase change materials retain their thermal energy storage functionality, with no chemical cross-linking between the phase change materials and furfuryl alcohol. The treated wood showed up to 185 % higher thermal energy storage capacity, enhanced dimensional stability (anti-swelling efficiency up to 87 %), and 28 % higher compressive strength than untreated wood. It is a step towards sustainable, multifunctional, leakage-free, enhanced mechanical properties, improved dimensional stability wood for thermal energy storage for building applications, with potential for further optimisation and characterisation.
Keywords: bio-based materials, fatty acid, furfuryl alcohol, sustainable building materials, wood modification, phase change materials
Published in RUP: 09.01.2026; Views: 117; Downloads: 3
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2. Special Issue "Wood modification: characterization, modelling, and applications"Anna Malgorzata Sandak, Jakub Michal Sandak, 2021, preface, editorial, afterword Keywords: wood modification, characterization, modelling, applications
Published in RUP: 30.07.2021; Views: 2678; Downloads: 34
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3. Hybrid approach for wood modification : characterization and evaluation of weathering resistance of coatings on acetylated woodAnna Malgorzata Sandak, Edit Földvári-Nagy, Faksawat Poohphajai, Rene Alexander Herrera Diaz, Oihana Gordobil, Nežka Sajinčič, Veerapandian Ponnuchamy, Jakub Michal Sandak, 2021, original scientific article Keywords: wood modification, natural weathering, acetylation, coatings, service life performance, aesthetic
Published in RUP: 04.06.2021; Views: 2859; Downloads: 32
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4. Characterization of arctic driftwood as naturally modified materialDaniel Chuchała, Anna Malgorzata Sandak, Kazimierz A. Orłowski, Jakub Michal Sandak, Olafur Eggertsson, Michal Landowski, 2021, original scientific article Keywords: arctic driftwood, natural modification, cutting forces, larch wood, sawing process
Published in RUP: 06.05.2021; Views: 2347; Downloads: 153
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6. Wood properties characterisation of thermo-hydro mechanical treated plantation and native tasmanian timber speciesMichelle Balasso, Andreja Kutnar, Eva Prelovšek Niemelä, Marica Mikuljan, Gregory Nolan, Nathan Kotlarewski, Mark Hunt, Andrew Jacobs, Julianne O'Reilly, 2020, original scientific article Keywords: Eucalyptus, plantation, wood modification, thermo-hydro mechanical treatments, structural properties
Published in RUP: 02.12.2020; Views: 2953; Downloads: 44
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9. Fatigue behavior of beech and pine wood modified with low molecular weight phenol-formaldehyde resinJaka Gašper Pečnik, Andreja Kutnar, Holger Militz, Matthew Schwarzkopf, Hannes Schwager, 2020, original scientific article Keywords: beech, creep rate, fatigue strength, phenol formaldehyde, pine, stress level, wood modification
Published in RUP: 02.07.2020; Views: 3416; Downloads: 59
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