Preserving the natural appearance and basic properties of wood exposed to ultraviolet light is a particular challenge. To prevent photodegradation effects, we use various protection techniques from thermal modification to the application of other materials on wood surfaces. Among modern materials, nano titanium dioxide has established itself as a good inhibitor of photodegradation. In the research, we performed impregnation of thermally modified and unmodified beech wood with titanium dioxide. The success of the impregnation process was confirmed by analysis with a scanning electron microscope. Titanium dioxide particles are deposited on cell walls and bond together to form conglomerates of different sizes. Impregnated test specimens were exposed to UV radiation, water, air humidity, and wood degradation fungi. Thermally modified wood with titanium dioxide proved to be the most colour-stable, with the greatest colour changes detected at impregnated wood, which was later thermally modified. Impregnated wood has a high increase in humidity when in contact with water. Titanium dioxide in wood reduces the humidification of wood in saturated air. The contact angles of water on semi-radial surfaces increase in the presence of titanium dioxide. Impregnated wood with titanium dioxide partially or poorly inhibits the decomposition of wood due to the action of decaying fungi.
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