Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer

Review Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp2 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Nanotechnology in wood science: Revolutionizing durability, sustainability and performance

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.13689
Submitted
15 January 2026
Published
08-06-2026

Abstract

Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative force in material science, particularly in enhancing the properties of wood and wood composites. As wood continues to serve as a renewable and versatile material, inherent challenges such as biological degradation, dimensional instability and mechanical limitations hinder its broader application. This review explores the integration of nanotechnology to overcome these constraints, focusing on advancements in nanocellulose, metal nanoparticles and functional nanocoatings. By exploring their roles in improving durability, fire resistance, mechanical performance and environmental sustainability, the review highlights the industrial relevance and future prospects of these innovations. The findings underscore the potential of nanotechnology not only to enhance wood’s utility but also to align with sustainable development goals, making it a pivotal player in modern materials engineering. Furthermore, the study underscores the interdisciplinary approach required to harness these technologies effectively, from labscale innovations to scalable industrial applications. As demand for sustainable, high-performance materials grows, nanotechnology stands at the forefront of revolutionizing wood-based industries globally.

References

  1. 1. Gaff M, Kačík F, Sandberg D, Babiak M, Turčani M, Niemz P, et al. The effect of chemical changes during thermal modification of European oak and Norway spruce on elasticity properties. Compos Struct. 2019;220:529-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2019.04.034
  2. 2. Li H, Su J, Zhang Q, Deeks AJ, Hui D. Mechanical performance of laminated bamboo column under axial compression. Compos Part B Eng. 2015;79:374-82.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2015.04.027
  3. 3. Li H, Qiu Z, Wu G, Wei D, Lorenzo R, Yuan C, et al. Compression behaviors of parallel bamboo strand lumber under static loading. J Renew Mater. 2019;7(7):583-600. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2019.07592
  4. 4. Schmidt O. Wood and tree fungi: biology, damage, protection and use. Berlin: Springer; 2006.
  5. 5. Ayesh AI, Awwad F. Opportunity for DNA detection using nanoparticle-decorated graphene oxide. J Nanomater Mol Nanotechnol. 2012;1:1.
  6. 6. Drelich J. Nanoparticles in a liquid: new state of liquid? J Nanomater Mol Nanotechnol. 2013;2:1. https://doi.org/10.4172/2324-8777.1000e105
  7. 7. Wegner TH, Jones EP. A fundamental review of the relationships between nanotechnology and lignocellulosic biomass. In: Lucia LA, Rojas OJ, editors. The nanoscience and technology of renewable biomaterials. Chichester (UK): Wiley-Blackwell; 2010. p. 1-41. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444307474.ch1
  8. 8. Wegner TH, Jones PE. Advancing cellulose-based nanotechnology. Cellulose. 2006;13:115-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-006-9056-1
  9. 9. Moon RJ, Martini A, Nairn J, Simonsen J, Youngblood J. Cellulose nanomaterials review: structure, properties and nanocomposites. Chem Soc Rev. 2011;40:3941-94. https://doi.org/10.1039/c0cs00108b
  10. 10. Ibrahim AA, Khan T, LaJeunesse D, Obare SO, Dellinger AL. Nanoscience systematic review methodology standardization. Nanotechnol Rev. 2025;14(1):20250144. https://doi.org/10.1515/ntrev-2025-0144
  11. 11. Esquivel-Alfaro M, Rojas-Carrillo O, Sulbarán-Rangel B, Rodríguez-Barquero L, Palacios-Hinestroza H, Rojas OJ. Pineapple-derived nanocellulose for nanocomposites: extraction, processing and properties. J Compos Sci. 2025;9(12):652. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9120652
  12. 12. Kumah EA, Djou Fopa R, Harati S, Boadu P, Zohoori FV, Pak T. Human and environmental impacts of nanoparticles: a scoping review of the current literature. BMC Public Health. 2023;23:1059.. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15958-4
  13. 13. Dejene BK. Advancing natural fiber-reinforced composites through incorporating ZnO nanofillers in the polymeric matrix: a review. J Nat Fibers. 2024;21(1):1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2024.2356015
  14. 14. Moon RJ, Frihart CR, Wegner TH. Cellulose nanomaterials in forest products. For Prod J. 2006;55:4-10.
  15. 15. Wegner TH, Jones EP. Cellulose-based nanotechnology. Cellulose. 2006;13:115-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-006-9056-1
  16. 16. Puurunen K, Vasara P. Nanotechnology in sustainable production. J Clean Prod. 2007;15(13-14):1287-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2006.07.013
  17. 17. Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry—Vision and Technology Roadmap. Report of the workshop held October 17–19, 2004. Madison, WI: USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory; 2005.https://doi.org/10.2172/1218797
  18. 18. McCrank J. Nanotechnology applications in the forest sector [monograph on the Internet]. Ottawa, ON: Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service; 2009.
  19. 19. Julkapli NM, Bagheri S. Developments in nano-additives for paper industry. J Wood Sci. 2016;62:117-30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10086-015-1532-5
  20. 20. Arndt T, Zelm R. Nanotechnology applications in paper. Das Papier. 2008;T110:59-63.
  21. 21. Zhao J, Zhang W, Zhang X, Zhang X, Lu C, Deng Y. Extraction of cellulose nanofibrils from dry softwood pulp using high shear homogenization. Carbohydr Polym. 2013;97(2):695-702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.05.050
  22. 22. Latifah J, Nurrul-Atika M, Sharmiza A, Rushdan I. Extraction of nanofibrillated cellulose from Kelempayan (Neolamarckia cadamba) and its use as strength additive in papermaking. J Trop For Sci. 2020;32(2):170-78. https://doi.org/10.26525/jtfs32.2.170
  23. 23. Beck-Candanedo S, Roman M, Gray DG. Effect of reaction conditions on the properties and behavior of wood cellulose nanocrystal suspensions. Biomacromolecules. 2005;6(2):1048-54. https://doi.org/10.1021/bm049300p
  24. 24. Jonoobi M, Harun J, Mathew AP, Oksman K. Mechanical properties of cellulose nanofiber reinforced polylactic acid prepared by twin screw extrusion. Compos Sci Technol. 2010;70(12):1742-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.07.005
  25. 25. Garcia de Rodriguez NL, Thielemans W, Dufresne A. Sisal cellulose whiskers reinforced polyvinyl acetate nanocomposites. Cellulose. 2006;13:261-70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-005-9039-7
  26. 26. Siqun Wang, Qingzheng Cheng, Rials TG, Lee SH. Cellulose microfibril/nanofibril and its nanocomposites. In: Proceedings of the 8th Pacific Rim Bio-Based Composites Symposium; 2006 Nov 20–23; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. p. 301–8..
  27. 27. Nakagaito AN, Yano H. Novel high-strength biocomposites based on microfibrillated cellulose. Appl Phys A. 2005;80:155-59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-003-2225-2
  28. 28. Iwamoto S, Nakagaito AN, Yano H, Nogi M. Optically transparent composites reinforced with plant fiber-based nanofibers. Appl Phys A. 2005;81:1109-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-005-3316-z
  29. 29. Graham K, Ouyang M, Raether T, Grafe T, McDonald B, Knauf P. Polymeric nanofibers in air filtration applications. Presented at: Fifteenth Annual Technical Conference & Expo of the American Filtration & Separations Society; 2002 Apr 9–12; Galveston, Texas, USA.
  30. 30. Bhatnagar A, Sain M. Processing of cellulose nanofiber-reinforced composites. J Reinf Plast Compos. 2005;24:1259-68. https://doi.org/10.1177/0731684405049864
  31. 31. Peresin MS, Habibi Y, Zoppe JO, Pawlak JJ, Rojas OJ. Nanofiber-based composites and coatings. Biomacromolecules. 2010;11(3):674-81. https://doi.org/10.1021/bm901254n
  32. 32. Zimmermann T, Pohler E, Geiger T. Cellulose fibrils for polymer reinforcement. Adv Eng Mater. 2004;6(9):754-61. https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.200400097
  33. 33. De Azeredo HMC. Nanocomposites for food packaging applications. Food Res Int. 2009;42(9):1240-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2009.03.019
  34. 34. Azeredo HMC, Mattoso LHC, Avena-Bustillos RJ, Filho GC, Munford ML, Wood D, et al. Nanocellulose reinforced chitosan composite films as affected by nanofiller loading and plasticizer content. J Food Sci. 2010;75(1):N1-N7. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2009.01386.x
  35. 35. Hill CAS. Wood modification: chemical, thermal and other processes. Chichester (UK): John Wiley & Sons; 2006. 260 p.. https://doi.org/10.1002/0470021748
  36. 36. Taghiyari HR, Mobini K, Sarvari Samadi Y, Doosti Z, Karimi F, Asghari M, et al. Effects of nano-wollastonite on thermal conductivity coefficient of medium-density fiberboard. J Nanomater Mol Nanotechnol. 2013;2(1):1000106. https://doi.org/10.4172/2324-8777.1000106
  37. 37. Taghiyari HR. Effect of nano-silver impregnation on mechanical properties of heat-treated Populus nigra. Wood Sci Technol. 2011;45:399-404. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-010-0343-5
  38. 38. Matsunaga H, Kiguchi M, Evans PD. Microdistribution of copper-carbonate and iron oxide nanoparticles in treated wood. J Nanopart Res. 2009;11:1087-98. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-008-9512-y
  39. 39. Reinprecht L, Jan I, Vidholdová Z. Biological resistance and application properties of particleboards containing nano-zinc oxide. Adv Mater Sci Eng. 2018;2018:2680121. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/2680121
  40. 40. Nosal E, Reinprecht L. Anti-bacterial and anti-mold efficiency of silver nanoparticles present in melamine-laminated particleboard surfaces. BioRes. 2019;14(2):3914-24. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.14.2.3914-3924
  41. 41. Gao W, Du G. Physico-mechanical properties of plywood bonded by nano cupric oxide modified PF resins against subterranean termites. Maderas Cienc Tecnol. 2015;17(1):129-38. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-221X2015005000013
  42. 42. Figueroa M, Bustos C, Dechent P, Reyes L, Cloutier A, Giuliano M. Analysis of rheological and thermo-hygro-mechanical behaviour of stress-laminated timber bridge deck in variable environmental conditions. Maderas Cienc Tecnol. 2012;14(3):303-19. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-221X2012005000005
  43. 43. Taghiyari HR. Nano-zycosil in MDF: gas and liquid permeability. Eur J Wood Wood Prod. 2013;71:353-60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-013-0691-6
  44. 44. Haghighi Poshtiri A, Taghiyari HR, Karimi AN. Nano-wollastonite as fire-retardant in poplar wood. Int J Nano Dimens. 2013;4:141-51.
  45. 45. Taghiyari HR, Farajpour Bibalan O. Effect of copper nanoparticles on properties of particleboard. Eur J Wood Wood Prod. 2013;71:69-77. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-012-0644-5
  46. 46. Okyay TO, Bala RK, Nguyen HN, Atalay R, Bayam Y, Rodrigues DF. Antibacterial properties of ZnO nanorods. RSC Adv. 2015;5:2568-75. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4RA12539H
  47. 47. Chakra CS, Rao KV, Rajendar V. ZnO and TiO₂ nanocomposites with enhanced antibacterial properties. Dig J Nanomater Biostruct. 2017;12(1):185-93.
  48. 48. El-Naggar ME, Shaheen TI, Zaghloul S, El-Rafie MH, Hebeish A. Antibacterial and UV protection of TiO₂ nanoparticles on cotton fabrics. Ind Eng Chem Res. 2016;55(10):2661-68. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.5b04315
  49. 49. Tomak ED, Yazici OA, Parmak EDS, Gonultas O. Weathering resistance of wood with nanoparticle-based coatings. Polym Degrad Stab. 2018;152:289-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2018.03.012
  50. 50. Li J, Wu Z, Bao Y, Chen Y, Huang C, Li N, et al. ZnO nanocoating on bamboo timber for mould resistance. J Saudi Chem Soc. 2017;21(8):920-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jscs.2015.12.008
  51. 51. Wang J, Li J, Zhuang X, Pan X, Yu H, Sun F, et al. Bamboo coated with ZnO/graphene for antibacterial activity. R Soc Open Sci. 2018;5(8):180173. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.180173
  52. 52. Liu Y, Zhang Y, Li X, Wang S, Sun J. Effect of silicon on the growth and development of maize seedlings under salt stress. Int J Agron. 2019;2019:6715756.. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6715756
  53. 53. Havrlik M, Ryparova P. Protection of wooden materials using nanotechnology. Acta Polytech. 2015;55(2):101-08. https://doi.org/10.14311/AP.2015.55.0101
  54. 54. Papadopoulos AN, Taghiyari HR. Innovative wood surface treatments based on nanotechnology. Coatings. 2019;9(12):866. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings9120866
  55. 55. Cheng D, Wen Y, An X, Zhu X, Ni Y. TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers in polyurethane coatings on wood. Carbohydr Polym. 2016;151:326-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.05.083
  56. 56. Auclair N, Kaboorani A, Riedl B, Landry V, Hosseinaei O, Wang S. Modified cellulose nanocrystals in bionanocomposite coatings. Prog Org Coat. 2018;123:27-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2018.05.027
  57. 57. Meng L, Qiu H, Wang D, Feng B, Di M, Shi J, et al. Castor-oil-based waterborne hybrid coatings. Prog Org Coat. 2020;140:105492. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2019.105492
  58. 58. Fallah F, Khorasani M, Ebrahimi M. Nano-silica reinforced waterborne nitrocellulose coatings. Prog Org Coat. 2017;109:110-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2017.04.016
  59. 59. Guo S, Wang D, Shi J, Li X, Feng B, Meng L, et al. Waterborne acrylate coatings modified with biomass silicon. Prog Org Coat. 2019;135:601-07. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2019.06.033

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.