Incorporation of metal nanoparticles into wood substrate and methods

An article comprising:

• a wood substrate,
• nanoparticles deposited in cell walls in the wood substrate, wherein the nanoparticles comprise an elemental metal or metal oxide, and
• an ionic liquid in the wood, the ionic liquid being a molten salt comprised of 1 ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium acetate having a melting temperature less than or equal to 100° C.

A method for treating a wood substrate, comprising:

• exposing a wood substrate having cell walls to an ionic liquid that is a molten salt that has a melting temperature at or below a temperature of 100° C. to induce swelling in the wood,
• exposing the swollen wood to an aqueous suspension of nanoparticles whereby at least some of the nanoparticles become deposited in the cell walls, wherein the nanoparticles comprise an elemental metal, and
• subjecting the wood and metal nanoparticles inside the wood to microwaves.

A method for treating a wood substrate, comprising:

• exposing a wood substrate having cell walls to an ionic liquid that is a molten salt that has a melting temperature at or below a temperature of 100° C. to induce swelling in the wood, and thereafter
• exposing the swollen wood to an aqueous suspension of nanoparticles whereby at least some of the nanoparticles become deposited in the cell walls, wherein the nanoparticles comprise an elemental metal and the ionic liquid comprises imidazolium, and
• subjecting the wood and metal nanoparticles inside the wood to microwaves.