Enhancing optical properties of transparent wood by plasma modification

Transparent wood is a promising sustainable alternative to glass in construction and technology, but its fabrication is often hindered by the use of harsh chemicals, high costs, and scalability issues. This study introduces a novel, solvent-free method for producing transparent wood by employing a volumetric plasma modification technique. Balsa wood scaffolds were first bleached and then treated using an Atmospheric Discharge with Runaway Electrons (ADRE) plasma, which uniquely modifies the entire material volume, enhancing compatibility with an infiltrating acrylic resin. The resulting plasma-treated transparent wood demonstrated significantly improved optical properties, achieving a high transmittance of 91% at 550 nm, compared to 72% for untreated samples. This enhancement is attributed to improved polymer infiltration and reduced light scattering at the wood-polymer interface. By eliminating the need for hazardous organic solvents and complex chemical treatments, this plasma-based approach offers a more cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally friendly pathway for fabricating high-performance transparent wood. This innovation advances the potential of transparent wood as a practical material for energy-efficient buildings and other advanced applications.