Poplar wood treated with nano-silver–copper particles: fungal degradation and leaching analysis

Abstract This study investigated the inhibition effect of nanoscale silver–copper particle (20 nm) against Coriolus versicolor and Gloeophyllum trabeum . Poplar wood samples ( Populus L.) were vacuum-impregnated using aqueous nano-AgCu solutions at concentrations of 0.01 %, 0.02 %, 0.03 %, 0.05 %, 0.075 %, and 0.1 %. Alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ, 0.1 %), boric acid (0.2 %) and untreated control group (CK) were employed for comparisons. Decay resistance and leachability were studied. The anti-fungi effects were compared between nano-AgCu, nano-Ag, Ag + (silver nitrate), Cu 2+ (copper nitrate), and a composite of Ag + –Cu 2+ . Nano-AgCu particle exhibited effective resistance to fungi after 12 weeks of exposure. The threshold retention of the nano-AgCu against C. versicolor and G. trabeum on poplar wood was 0.19 kg m −3 and 0.62 kg m −3 , respectively. The silver–copper nanoparticles demonstrated excellent leach resistance, and the inhibition effect was retained after leaching. The nano-AgCu particle provided better antifungal effects than single ions or metal nanoparticles. This study illustrates the potential of using nano-AgCu particle as an efficient wood preservative compared to commercial water-soluble preservatives.