An aesthetic transparent wood resistant to Escherichia coli based on interface optimization

A top-down approach was used to prepare an aesthetic transparent wood (CS/TW) resistant to Escherichia coli (E. coli). The preparation method is to impregnate the wood template that has partially delignified through an acid resin solution containing chitosan in a vacuum. It was found that chitosan has partial miscibility and good film-forming property in epoxy resin with adjusted pH, and it can reduce the interface gap between wood cells and polymer in transparent wood to a certain extent, thus improving the mechanical properties of the material. When the addition of chitosan is ≥ 1%, the antibacterial rate of CS/TW to E. coli reaches 98–99%, and the protonated amino group in the composite is the main driving force for antibacterial activity. The transmittance of CS/TW can reach 73.80% and the ultraviolet shielding performance is remarkable. It has good hydrophobicity, thermal stability and mechanical properties. In summary, CS/TW shows application potential in building windows, dining cabinet doors, tea table tops, etc. Moreover, its antibacterial properties can reduce the risk of contact between users and bacteria and protect people's health. In addition, as a wood-based composite material, CW/TW has carbon emission reduction and carbon storage characteristics, making it an environmentally friendly functional product.