Photostable wood–inorganic composites prepared by the sol-gel process with UV absorbent

To enhance the photostability of wood against ultraviolet (UV) light, a UV absorbent, 2,2′,4′-trihydroxy-4-[2-hydroxy-3-(3-trimethoxysilylpropoxy)propoxy]benzophenone (BP), was applied to the reaction system for preparing SiO2 wood–inorganic composites by sol–gel reaction. The BP–SiO2 wood–inorganic composites obtained were examined for photostability by scanning electron microscope observations, color changes, and diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform analyses. The results clearly indicated that compared with SiO2 composites, BP–SiO2 composites improved the photostability of wood. In addition, BP was stable against UV light without degradation so that the BP–SiO2 composite should provide sustainable and high photostability of treated wood.