Study of Short-term Creep in Bamboo under Multi-scale Loading: Role of Hydrothermal Treatment and Nanostructured Additives (silica/Fe₃O₄)

The study explores the short-term creep behavior of bamboo under multi-scale loading, focusing on the impact of hydrothermal treatments and the addition of nanoadditives, namely amorphous silica and iron oxide (Fe3O4). Three Moso bamboo samples were examined: untreated (B-0), hot water-treated (B-W), and modified with silica incorporation in the presence of magnetite (B-M). The results reveal that B-M exhibits an 11% higher elastic modulus (MOE) compared to B-0 and a 26% increase over B-W, combining stiffness and deformation capacity. The hydrothermal treatment (B-W) reduces stiffness but enhances ductility, while the silica/magnetite addition restores mechanical properties. XRD and FTIR analyses indicate that the increased rigidity of B-M is due to the partial oxidation of lignin catalyzed by silica and magnetite, rather than direct interaction with cellulose and also to the purely mechanical action due to the rigidity of the silicon oxide inside the bamboo's conductive tissues. Although B-W fibers display higher nanocrystallinity, their short-term creep is more pronounced, whereas B-M achieves a balance between strength and deformation.