A Sustainable Cellulose-Based Hydrogel for the Reinforcement of Deteriorated Wood in Heritage Conservation

The structural degradation of wooden cultural heritage artifacts poses a significant challenge to their long-term preservation. In response to this issue, we have developed a sustainable and biocompatible three-component composite hydrogel designed to reinforce decayed wood while maintaining material compatibility and environmental safety. The hydrogel comprises carboxylated cellulose nanofibres (CCNC), polyanionic cellulose (PAC), and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), all of which are chemically compatible with the wood matrix. These components are derived from abundant, environmentally friendly sources and enable a simple, scalable preparation process. Upon application, the hydrogel significantly reduced the porosity of decayed wood, with post-treatment porosity measured at 73.41%, indicating substantial pore-filling capability. Mechanical performance testing revealed that the maximum radial compressive load increased by approximately 6.9 times, with a corresponding 2.88-fold increase in compressive strength. The maximum tangential compressive load increased by around 6.5 times, while the compressive strength in the tangential direction improved by approximately 8.94 times.The use of isopropyl alcohol as a surfactant further enhanced hydrogel infiltration into the wood structure. Microscopic analysis confirmed the formation of a continuous, uniform reinforcement layer that strengthened interfacial adhesion and improved the overall structural integrity of the wood. These findings highlight the hydrogel’s potential as a highly effective, conservation-oriented material for reinforcing deteriorated wooden artifacts, offering a promising approach to sustainable wood preservation and heritage conservation.