Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
DREWNO, cilt.218, sa.69, ss.1-12, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
This study concerned the possibility of enhancing the outdoor performance and thermal properties of wood–plastic composites (WPCs) by incorporating nanoparticles (NPs). Titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) NPs were selected, being one of the most commonly used types, and were added to the matrix in concentrations up to 10%. Their addition improved the mechanical properties of WPCs due to the strong interaction between TiO2 and the composite components. Furthermore, the good reflectivity properties of TiO2 improved the surface color stability of WPCs. Even under intensive UV light exposure, the surface color changes in WPCs containing TiO2 were moderate compared with the control samples. Microscopic analysis indicated that TiO2 NPs significantly reduced crack formation. Although surface erosion was not completely inhibited, it was reduced. The condensation cycle of weathering weakened the bonds between the wood and polymer, leading to mechanical losses. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed micro-cracks, which explained the decreased values obtained for the mechanical properties of reinforced WPCs. However, the decrease was limited to 0.46% for composites containing 5% TiO2 . The TiO2 NPs also acted as a thermal barrier, retarding thermal degradation, which occurred more moderately than in the controls. Additionally, the fire performance of reinforced WPCs was enhanced by TiO2 NPs, which improved char formation and increased the limit oxygen index (LOI) values to 25.9% O2 .