Antifungal coating for wood protection

Antifungal hydro-repellent coatings were formulated for Pinus ponderosa panels’ protection. The fomulated coatings were based on a hydroxylated acrylic resin chemically modified with n-octyltriethoxysilane (R8), n-octadecyltriethoxysilane (R18), and some mixtures of them as hybrid film-forming material. Diatomaceous silica was used as a pigment. The share of silane was 20% higher than the stoichiometric ratio to allow its interaction with cellulose hydroxyl groups (-OH). Results indicated that the best antifungal efficiency was reached with coating formulated with 70R8/30R18 ratio due to the chemical reaction of cellulose hydroxyl groups (causing its blocking) and the physical barrier created by the degree of compaction of the film itself. Moreover, Biodeterioration of the film caused by the specific fungi was not observed, whit confirms the durability effect of the treatment. The protection mechanism is related to the water repellency and the blocking of the substrate.