Wood preservation with gold hydroxyapatite system

Abstract

Over centuries, the external factors such as fire, low temperature, light or microbiological agents, act on the wood and induce some degradation processes, sometimes irreversible, identified by discoloration, fragility and unsightly appearance. Although there are numerous literature reports about different nanomaterials used for preservation and restoration of wood surfaces (calcium hydroxides, magnesium hydroxides, hydroxyapatite, or even organic resins as Paraloid B72), in this paper it is proposed a new system—gold hydroxyapatite (AuHAp), tested on the hazelnut wood samples (young and aged specimens), as a new solution for preservation of some wooden artifacts. This paper addresses a broad range of analytical methods: X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, chromatic parameters and hardness test. Also, humidity sorption/desorption measurements are used for humidity sorption and desorption evaluation. The adsorption and desorption tests determined the hydroscopic sorption properties of the wood specimens by measuring the mass of the specimens in equilibrium with air at a specific temperature and RH. All the results concluded that after the application of the new system on the hazelnut wood surface, a well distributed and uniform layer consisting from AuHAp systems with a network aspect are observed, which covers the wood vessels and fibers, filling the voids and stopping the wood weathering process, more accentuated at aged wood than at the young species.

Introduction

Wood is one of the oldest materials in the humanity history, deeply rooted in the consciousness of society through its material values and processing properties for tools or furniture objects [1]. It is an organic material which supports a continuous degradation and deterioration processes by action of fire, weathering, and various organisms [2]. Therefore, people are trying different methods of improving its durability. For stopping the degradation processes, the wood artifacts could undergo some conservation treatments with different compatible materials, to stabilize the wooden structure and avoid shrinkage and collapse and for a longer integrity of the object. A preservation material should obey the following rules: to remain stable over long periods of time; to be reversible; to penetrate and distribute evenly throughout the wood; to prevent dimensional changes and maintain the original appearance of the artefact; to be compatible with wood, or with other materials from the wooden system; to present reduced/no toxicity; to prevent biological degradation and acidification of the wood.

One of the major problems that affects the conservation state of wooden artifacts or artworks (paintings, icons) is the loss of the wood’s structural resistance, due to xilophagous attacks or dehydration. During time, wood conservators and scientific researchers have proposed, tested and analyzed various materials and the solution on which the restorers’ community agreed was the use of synthetic polymers, most often reported being Paraloid B67, Paraloid B72 and Paraloid B44 [3,4,5,6,7]. Even though these synthetic polymers have some advantages (reversibility, elasticity, commercially available etc.), they also have serious drawbacks: poor resistance to humidity, relatively weak bond with vitreous substrates and solvent hazards, its handling properties, difficulty to apply as an adhesive and to manipulate with precision [8, 9]. In order to avoid its limitations, a new generation of the preservation materials is required.

During the last decades, the nanomaterials and nanotechnologies came into force in this area of cultural heritage, new and efficient systems being created and tested on different artifacts and works of art: metallic oxides and hydroxides (ZnO, TiO₂, Ca(OH)₂, Mg(OH)₂, Ba(OH)₂, Sr(OH)₂) [10], metallic nanoparticles (Au, Ag, Pt) [11], and very recently, hydroxyapatite (HAp) (Ca₁₀ (PO₄)₆(OH)₂: Ca/P = 1.67) [12].

Starting from the mention that the cellulose polysaccharides and the lignin part of wood (that contain phenol and methoxy groups), can generate noble metals nanoparticles by green synthesis [13], in this paper it is proposed a new nanomaterial AuHAp, synthesized by noble metals capacity to interact and replace Ca from HAp [14].

The methods found to produce AuHAp are not quite diverse [15,16,17,18,19], the Turkevich method or a variant of it being recognized as the most proper synthesis method for AuNP, similar with AgHAp synthesis already reported by our group [20]. The application of noble metals for wooden artifacts should obey its integrity and authenticity that mostly depend on the nature of the object to be treated, the type and condition of the materials, and the functional requirements of the object.

The hazelnut wood is used in different cult and decoration objects, furniture and even for different jewelries, that’s why it’s important to know how to preserve them and to stop the weathering process. Usually, the young wood is characterized by progressive increases in dimensions and changes in the cell characteristics and the pattern of cell arrangement. Also, the young wood cells are shorter than those of aged wood and some large microfibril angles are also associated with low tensile strength. The young wood is rougher and contains more splits and deeper lathe checks. By comparison, the aged wood appears more rigid and stronger than young wood, because is characterized by relatively constant cell size, well-developed structural patterns, and stable physical behavior. This is the reason which for an optimal solution for aged wood conservation is requested as the best among the solutions reported in the literature, avoiding their disadvantages and to keep their historic memorabilia in the best shape possible.

Under this context, the objectives of this paper is to create a new material—AuHAp—and to test it on the wood samples (young and aged specimens), in order to create a new solution for preservation of old artifacts.

This paper addresses a broad range of non-destructive or (micro)-destructive methods: X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis spectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy Fourier transformed (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), chromatic parameters, hardness test, in order to correlate the properties of the new created nano-systems and their structural and interaction characteristics. Also, humidity sorption and desorption measurements have been registered and processed.

Experimental part

Wooden materials

The hazelnut wood samples [from a young tree (about 10 years old)] without knots were selected for the experiments. In order to minimize shrinkage, swelling and cracking, small circular specimens with a diameter of 7.0 mm and thickness of 5 mm were used for the measurements. For wood aging, each wooden sample was cut in small circular slices and dried in the oven at 100 °C for 24 h, in agreement with previous reports [20]. Both samples of young and aged wood were brushed with AuHAp suspension in isopropilic alcohol, as a environment friendly solvent.

Nanoparticles preparation

HAuCl₄ was purchased from Sigma Aldrich and were used as stock reactants, without purification. Hydroxyapatite powder was prepared in the laboratory, in agreement with the literature’s reports [21]. The new system AuHAp has been generated in situ on the wood surface, as follows: 20 mL of noble metal acid (HAuCl₄) dissolved in water, 20 mL HAp (hydroxyapatite) suspended in water have been added in a vessel where is already immersed a wood piece (Fig. 1). The whole solution has been kept in oven (3 h/60 °C), then stored in the dark over night, at room temperature.

Fig. 1

The synthesis scheme of AuHAp on wood

Meanwhile, the syntheses of the AuHAp systems were performed using a sonochemical homogeneous precipitation method:

2 mL of tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl₄) dissolved in water, 2 mL HAp (hydroxyapatite) have been subjected to ultrasonication on Bioblock Scientific (30 min/40 °C) ultrasound bath (UK), with the wood samples, kept in oven (1 h/60 °C), then stored in the dark over night, at room temperature. This method was previously developed for the formation of HAp particles and their composites with Ag, called as post-synthesis [20, 22].

Characterization methods

For UV–Vis absorption spectra a M 400 UV–VIS spectrophotometer (Carl Zeiss Jena, Germany), with monochromator and double beam spectrophotometer was used. For the absorption spectra of solutions 1 cm matched quartz cells were used. The solutions were measured in absorption mode and the spectra were recorded from 200 to 800 nm with a data interval of 1 nm.

Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) has been recorded with a Vertex 80 spectrometer (Bruker Optik GMBH, Germania) in the range of 4000–400 cm⁻¹, 32 scan, resolution 4 cm⁻¹, equipped with DRIFT accessory. Also, this apparatus could work in Attenuated Total Reflectance, ATR module.

For Raman spectra, a portable dual wavelength Raman (Rigaku, USA) analyzer equipped with with a standard diode-pumped, air-cooled Nd:YAG laser source (785 and 1064 nm) with high sensitivity. This device does not require special preparation of samples; liquid and solid samples can be analyzed. For the measurements, a resolution of 4 cm⁻¹ was used with a laser power of 252 mW. Data were collected and processed with the software Opus 7.0 (Bruker Optics GmbH). In order to avoid the local wood inhomogeneity, 5 measurements with 400 scans were performed.

The optical microscopy was performed with a Novex trinocular microscope (EUROMEX Microscopen B.V.HOLLAND) (at different magnifications: 40×, 100×, 400×, 1000×).

Also, the optical microscopy has been recorded by a Primo Star ZEISS optical microscope that offers the possibility to investigate the samples in transmitted light at a magnification between 4× and 100×. The equipment had attached a digital video camera (Axiocam 105) which, by the microscope software, allowed real-time data acquisition. The obtained images could easily be converted from 2D in 3D format through its software for a better viewing.

The scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) was obtained with a SU-70 (Hitachi, Japan) microscope, with a magnification range of 30×−800.000×. SEM has been coupled with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) which allows qualitative and quantitative analysis [from Be (Z = 4) to Pu (Z = 94)].

The diffraction data (XRD) for the dry powder were recorded on a X-ray diffractometer Rigaku Ultima IV, equipped with software for control, control, acquisition and data conversion, with the technical features: high-resolution multimodal and multifunctional system with vertical goniometer θ/θ (285 mm radius) in geometry G/9; automatic self-leveling via PC control; X-ray tube—Cu anode (2 kW); detector—NaI with limitation > 700,000 cps; operation in symmetrical and asymmetric geometry; Bragg–Brentano focused high-resolution geometry; geometry in the parallel beam, other specific configurations; width of the minimum pitch: on scan axes Ts: 0.001 mm, θD, θS: 0.00010; minimum scanning step on the θD/θS axes in coupled mode 0.0002 and θD/θS in independent mode: 0.0001–60; Software: PDXL 2.2. (processing), ICDD-PDF4 + 2016 (database).

Color measurements have been recorded with CM-2600d spectrophotometer (KONICA MINOLTA) (Japan) under a D65 light source and an observer angle of 10°. The total color differences ΔE*_ab was calculated using the following formula [23]:

$$\Delta {{\text{E}}^{*}}_{\text{ab}} = \, \left[ {\Delta {\text{L}}^{*2} + \, \Delta {\text{a}}^{*2} + \, \Delta {\text{b}}^{*2} } \right]^{1/2}$$

(1)

where L* is the lightness and a* and b* the color coordinates under any testing condition, and L₀*, a₀*, and b₀* the corresponding reference values obtained as the average the untreated specimens (Proceq) [24]. The measurements were carried out with the device Minolta Chroma-Meter CR-200, with diffuse illumination. Values recorded for each point are an average of three measurements.

The coloring density of the wood, in absolute value, in points, Δb, was expressed according to the Eq. (2):

$$\Delta {\text{b }} = \left| {{\text{b}}_{{{\text{x}}\,{\text{Treated}}}} {-}{\text{ b}}_{{{\text{x}}\,{\text{Untreated}}}} } \right|$$

(2)

where b_{x treated} = color degree for treated wood, and b_{x untreated} = color degree for untreated wood.

Depending on the degree of wood coloring in absolute terms, the following stability classes are specified: Stable ≤ 3 of absolute value of b_x; Moderately stable > 3 and ≤ 8 of absolute value of b_x; Unstable > 8 of absolute value of b_x.

Accelerate light aging has been tested for all types of samples of printing and writing paper exposed to a xenon-arc exposure apparatus, Xenotest S 150 from Atlas Instruments. The exposure was done with an air-cooled xenon lamp at an irradiance of 42 W/m² (wavelength in the range: 300–400 nm), at 35 °C temperature in the test chamber, at relative humidity 50%, for 48 h [25]. The light flux causes photochemical reactions in wood that change its reflectance (brightness) and color. By comparing initial and final levels of these parameters against different criteria, a measured of optical stability is obtained.

The moisture content (M%) was calculated at the equilibrium point according to the following Eq. (3):

$$M\% = 100\frac{{\left( {W_{t} - W_{0} } \right)}}{{W_{0} }}$$

(3)

where W_t and W₀ are the wet weight and the initial dry weight [26].

Sorption/desorption curves (Hysteresis)

The wood samples were located in a thermo-statically controlled chamber through which there was a constant flow of dry nitrogen gas and into which was mixed another flow of nitrogen containing water vapour. Small pieces of samples (1.0 ± 0.1 g) were placed on the sample holder connected to a microbalance by a hanging wire. The sample was maintained at a constant RH until the rate change in mass was constant for 5 min. The sorption/desorption relative humidity (RH) has been changed from 50 to 95% RH in the climate chamber. The mass change data were acquired every 30 min. The adsorption and desorption tests determine the hydroscopic sorption properties of the specimens by measuring the mass of the specimens in equilibrium with air at a specific temperature and RH, in good agreement with EN ISO 12571 (2000). During the entire experiment, the temperature (25 °C) was kept constant. For the adsorption test, the specimens were first dried to a constant mass and then exposed to a series of tests environments with RH varying. The amount of moisture adsorbed into the specimen per unit surface area in each RH is expressed in the adsorption curve. By plotting humidity percentage against time, the kinetic curves were obtained. The adsorption/desorption curves were fitted in Excel 10.0.

Hardness tests have been recorded with a Silver-Schmidt Hammer L (Switzerland), adapted for wood hardness tests [24].

Results and discussion

AuHAp preparation and characterization

In order to characterize the new synthesized material—AuHAp-, the first step was their evaluation using X-ray diffraction analysis, Fig. 2. The diffractograms registered for HAp and its composite with Au have specific peaks corresponding to hydroxyapatite and gold. The XRD data showed peaks at the (002), (211), (310), (222), (213) and (321) regions specific for HAp and also for peaks of (111), and (221) assigned to the Au (111) plane. The XRD analyses of the samples reveals the preservation of the peaks assigned to hydroxyapatite [27]. The diffraction patterns were very intense indicating that the synthesized AuHAp is crystalline. No other phases except HAp and Au were detected, which demonstrates that no decomposition of HAp has taken place during the synthesis of AuHAp.

Fig. 2

XRD diffractograms of samples HAp and AuHAp

EDS results obtained for the investigated compounds reveal interesting results, as follows: in HAp there are present Ca, P and O in its structure, with a Ca/P ratio of 1.67; specific peaks of gold have been identified in AuHAp, higher at AuHAp than Au alone; there were no significant elements detected apart from those elements, which confirms the high purity of nanocrystalline AuHAp powder, Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

The EDS diagrams of HAp, Au nanoparticles and AuHAp

Visually, the formation of nanoparticles was evidenced by color changes of mixed solutions, due to excitation of surface plasmon vibrations in the metal nanoparticles and could be evidenced by UV–Vis spectrophotometry (Fig. 4). HAp does not have specific absorption bands in the visible range, and by treating the wood with HAp and HAuCl₄, a broad band appears in the absorption spectrum at 520 nm, the band which could be assigned to AuHAp, being known that the specific band of the gold nanoparticle is positioned at 540 nm. Simultaneously, the band from 280 to 290 nm, specific to the aromatic character of the lignin, is diminished by forming gold nanoparticles and due to their interaction with hydroxyapatite, resulting AuHAp [13, 28].

Fig. 4

The UV–Vis spectra of HAp and AuHAp

If the Au nanoparticles generated on the wood in the absence of HAp, are let to stay for a longer time, they are able to form big spheres with diameters higher than 100 nm, with a well-defined shape and with sign of agglomeration, visible by UV–Vis spectroscopy (Fig. 5) by a wide band at 645 nm. This is a partial conclusion that Au nanoparticles should be generated in the presence of hydroxyapatite and wood in solution, in order to quickly form AuHAp.

Fig. 5

The UV–Vis absorption spectra of Au: (straight line) single particles; (dashed line) agglomerated particles

Also, these agglomerated nanoparticles could be visualized by optical microscopy (×60) as submicrometre-sized sphere-like (Fig. 6), and by SEM investigations, too, Fig. 7.

Fig. 6

The optical micrographs of Au agglomerates

Fig. 7

SEM images for the investigated systems

From these images, could be determined the size of the involved particles: hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with a size of 70 nm, gold nanoparticles with a size of 50 nm for single particle and 2000 nm for aggregated forms. By means of SEM investigations, the presence of nanoparticles builders and their distribution in the wood structure could be highlighted: the consolidant was identified as lighter deposits in the three directions (transverse, tangential and radial). The new compound AuHAp is visible on the cross-sections, in vessels and fibers in the form of bulky compact areas (100× magnification). In tangential sections, the presence of the composite was confirmed by deposits as white spots in punctuation (400× magnification). In radial sections, the consolidator was seen in the form of deposits in the pots and in the punctuation elements (100× magnification). A well distributed and uniform layer consisting from AuHAp systems with a network aspect are observed, which covers the wood vessels and fibers, stopping the wood weathering process (Fig. 8a–d).

Fig. 8

SEM images of the treated wood. a Aged wood, b Aged wood wit HAp, c Aged wood with AuNP, d Aged wood with AuHAp

In the same manner, the Fourier transformed infrared spectra evidenced the chemical modification of wood through the reaction with nanoparticles. The spectrum of hazelnut wood showed similar bands as all the wood samples: strong broad OH stretching (3300–4000 cm⁻¹), C–H stretching in methyl and methylene groups (2800–3000 cm⁻¹), and a strong broad band in the region from 1000 to 1750 cm⁻¹ assigned to lignin, which corresponds to CO bending vibrations of guaiacyl ring and C=C stretching vibrations in aromatic rings. The enhanced carbonyl absorption peak at 1735 cm⁻¹, C–H absorption at 1381 cm⁻¹ (–/C–/CH₃), and –C–/O–/stretching band at 1242 cm⁻¹ confirmed the formation of some bonds between the wood substrate and nanoparticles, as it was previously hypothesised. Appearance of the band near 1600 cm⁻¹ strongly associated with the aromatic C–O–CH₃ stretching mode, is a proof for the above hypothesis (Fig. 9), while the peak of absorption at 1512 cm⁻¹, originating from the vibration skeleton of the aromatic benzene ring was characteristic to lignin [29, 30].

Fig. 9

The FTIR spectra of hazelnut wood treated with Au and HAp nanoparticles

Figure 9 shows the FT-IR spectra of the HAp, Au and AuHAp on wood. These data clearly revealed the presence of the various vibrational modes corresponding to phosphates and hydroxyl groups. The peaks at 870, 1035 and 1425 cm⁻¹, 566 and 598 cm⁻¹, were assigned to PO ⁻⁴₃ . The broad transmittance at 3450 cm⁻¹ was attributed to the –OH stretching. These signals observed in the FT-IR spectrum indicated the incorporation of Au nanoparticles in HAp powder.

For the same substrate, the specific Raman bands were detected for lignin at 1600 cm⁻¹, for cellulose glycosidic C–O–C stretching band at 1098 cm⁻¹ and aromatic stretching band at 1605 cm⁻¹. Except for these, the unsaturated and carbonyl groups showed a shoulder at ca. 1658 cm⁻¹. The main origin of this band is hexenuronic acid or even ethylenic and carbonyl structures from lignin. In cellulose, the bands at 1600 and 1095 cm⁻¹ could be assigned to unsaturated and carbonyl structures (Fig. 10). Spectral changes observed in the range of 1800–1500 cm⁻¹ could be attributed to the hemicelluloses changes. Furthermore, the lower carbonyl band in the Raman spectra was caused by degradation products of lignin or unsaturated wood compounds. The fact that the spectrum of hydroxyapatite on wood was more intensive than the other components, and quite low for gold hydroxyapatite, are clear indications of the use of hydroxyapatite as a source for formation of metal nanoparticles [31]. Also, was observed that the vibrations of bonds in the applied nanoparticles may overlap with those of lignin structures, as a new proof of lignin participation at nanoparticles generation.

Fig. 10

The Raman spectra of hazelnut wood treated with Au, HAp and AuHAp nanoparticles

The deposition of the nanoparticles on the wood surface was monitorized by chromatic parameters change. It is well known that wood changes its color over time, and the discolorations should be a result of alterations in the chemical components [32]. Both young and aged samples were found to be darker than the young wood, while and red and yellow colors increased as well (Fig. 11).

Fig. 11

Wood slices untreated and treated with the investigated nanosystems

Based on the above obtained results, from mechanistic point of view, the reduction of Au³⁺ to Au^o occurs on contact with HAp, either by electron transfer between two adjacent carbonyl groups (from the end groups of lignin from wood), or through the ability to link Au³⁺ with the phosphate groups from hydroxyapatite, via the reduction of HAuCl₄ [33]. Hydroxyapatite has a highly adsorptive surface due to the polar OH⁻ groups and has a similar structure with an ion exchanger, Fig. 12.

Fig. 12

The schematic structure of AuHAp on wood

The color varies from the untreated sample to the HAuCl₄ treated one and is less colored than treated with HAuCl₄ and HAp (Fig. 13). The determinations have been achieved for wood samples treated with gold, hydroxyapatite and gold hydroxyapatite on the wood surface. Figure 14 shows two of the main chromatic parameters for all tested samples. The values obtained reveal that in this case ∆b* is less 5 and DE* is less than 2 only in the case of AuHAp, as real proofs for the stability results of old wood [12].

Fig. 13

The chromatic parameter ∆b* (up) and ∆E* (down) for wood treated with HAp, Au and AuHAp

Fig. 14

The humidity changes for hazelnut wood in different conditions

It could be observed that the young wood was more stable than the aged one, which is absolutely normal. Also, the wood samples treated with AuHAp were more stable than those treated with gold nanoparticles. A stabilization to weathering due to the space filling network formed on the wood (AuHAp) is responsible for this statement. Various experiments demonstrated that color properties are in direct relation to aging, similar with the thermal treatment [34].

The tests were performed with a Silver Schmidt L Hammer, adapted for wood tests, is in agreement with literature [35]. The surface hardness for the treated specimens, presented in Table 1, indicates that the hardness of wood varies with the direction of the wood grain, and is higher for the wood treated with AuHAp. Testing on the surface of a plank, perpendicular to the grain, the value is determined by the size of the indention made in the wood—the harder the wood, the higher the surface hardness value.

Table 1 Surface hardness for the treated specimens

Surface hardness is the one of most important indices reflecting the quality of the wood. The surface hardness increases in an almost linear way with increasing density.

The obtained results argued very well the above mentioned results: gold nanoparticles have the capacity to insert in the wood channels along the micro fibrils, with local agglomerated formations, preservating the wood. Also, in comparison with hydroxyapatite the surface hardness of AuHAp increased, due to the fibers network generated on the wood surface, argued by the above investigations.

Hazelnut is a local white hardwood with a density between 0.6 and 0.7 g/cm³. It is hygroscopic, with an accentuated flexibility and easy to model it. In this wood type, water is found in three different forms: constitution water—6% due to chemical reactions, bound water—30% at the saturation point of the fibers, responsible for wood swelling (hard to be removed) and free capillary water—more than 30% (easy to be removed). The changes of the wood humidity are presented in Fig. 14, where it could be observed that AuHAp strongly decrease the humidity.

Hygroscopic materials, such as wood and wood-based materials, have an ability to adsorb and desorb moisture with the variations of surrounding conditions, due to their free hydroxyl groups in the cell wall When wood absorbs moisture from the external environment it form hydrogen bonds or release moisture through the cutting of hydrogen bonds. Under such context, the hysteresis effect in the sorption and desorption of water vapor by wood has been different explained as a consequence of differences in (1) the availability of bonding sites for sorption on molecular surfaces, (2) the degree of aggregation of a swelling or shrinking cellulosic gel system, and (3) the wettability of submicroscopic capillaries within the cell wall. The hysteresis shows sigmoid isotherms is to a considerable degree a phenomenon of capillary condensation. The hysteresis between the sorption and desorption isotherms for young and aged hazelnut was very similar, the hysteresis decreased with increasing relative humidity of the atmosphere, more accentuated for AuHAp than all the other systems, Fig. 15.

Fig. 15

The hysteresis for young and aged wood samples

Hysteresis indicates less water retention of dried capillaries as compared to those in the wet state, due to the fact that the wood suffer some deformations during sorption. The phenomenon of hysteresis of wood is due to the changes (tensions and deformations) of the components of the wood as well as to the variations of the water vapor that cause swelling due to the molecular and capillary sorption processes. The degree of the hysteresis was calculated according to Eq (4) and evaluate the extent of specific structural change.

$${\text{Degree}}\,{\text{of}}\,{\text{Hysteresis}} = 100 \times \left( {{\text{Mdesorption}} - {\text{Msorption}}} \right)/{\text{Msorption}}$$

(4)

The values of hysteresis decrease at young wood and increase at aged wood, due to an incomplete rehydration of sorption sites during a subsequent sorption cycle, and effect of compressive stresses during swelling, more strongly at aged wood AuHAp than the other systems, which generates the network able to cover and protect the wood surface, in good agreement with literature data [36]. The sorption behaviour of wood is dependent upon the previous exposure of the wood to atmospheric relative humidity. During sorption, water molecules penetrate the cell wall matrix (composed of lignin and hemicellulosic polysaccharide) in which the cellulose are embedded. This results in the formation of nanopores within the matrix. The extent of the hysteresis clearly decreases with increasing relative humidity, which suggests that the fiber structure strongly changes when moisture adsorbs on the dry fiber or reversely when all moisture desorbs from the fiber. The hysteresis is calculated as the difference between M_{inf(total in desorp.)} and M_{inf(total in sorp.)} that are the absolute equilibrium mass values of adsorbed water in the material of the desorption and sorption process respectively at the same relative humidity. However, this value could include the effect of moisture contents in the wood.

The difference may be a result of the lower crystallinity observed at the aged sample. However, based on higher hysteresis coefficients, could be supposed that aged wood is more hygroscopically stable than young wood, Fig. 16. This rules is stronger for AuHAp.

Fig. 16

The graphic representation of hysteresis and hysteresis degree for young (YW) and aged wood (AW)

Conclusions

In this paper it is proposed a new nanosystem gold-hydroxyapatite (AuHAp), tested on the hazelnut wood samples (young and aged specimens), as a new solution for preservation of some wooden artifacts. This paper addresses a broad range of analytical methods: X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), chromatic parameters and hardness test. Also, humidity sorption/desorption measurements are used for humidity sorption and desorption studies. The adsorption and desorption tests determine the hydroscopic sorption properties of the wood specimens by measuring the mass of the specimens in equilibrium with air at a specific temperature and RH. All the results concluded that after the application of the new system on the hazelnut wood surface, a well distributed and uniform layer consisting from AuHAp systems with a network aspect are observed, which covers the wood vessels and fibers, filling the voids and stopping the wood weathering process, more accentuated at aged wood than at the young species. The extent of the hysteresis decreases with increasing relative humidity, which suggests that the fiber structure strongly changes when moisture adsorbs on the dry fiber or reversely when all moisture desorbs from the fiber.