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Composites using agricultural and forestry residues as raw materials with potentially high-performance, multifunctional and biodegradable ecological advantages, are viewed as very promising for new-generation lightweight and low-cost bio-based sustainable building materials. At present, the research on wood-plastic composite materials is relatively mature. However, it is still a challenge to effectively use other biomass and improve the interface of the high-polymer compound system. Herein, we proposed a simple and effective method to enhance the interfacial adhesion properties of rice husk fibre and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) composites by the silane coupling agent KH-550 and compatibilizer Maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) with complementary modification. It was found that the coupling agent KH-550 cross-linked with the hydroxyl group on the husk fibre surface and solidified with the high polymer by –NH–, –C=O– functional group generation. Compatibilizer MAPE strengthened the two phases by covalently bonding with an ester linkage and lowered the roughness of the cross-section of the composites. Meanwhile the modification enhanced the dispersibility, and mechanical properties of the husk-high polymer compound system, the bending and flexural strength were improved by 11.5% and 28.9% with KH-550, and MAPE added, respectively. The flexural strength of the composites increased by 40.7% after complementary modification. Furthermore, the complementary modification treatment reduced the hydrophilic hydroxyl groups and increased the molecular chain to improve the water-resistance, elastic modulus and toughness of the composite. This study prepared a bio-composite, which is expected to expand the use of agricultural and forestry residues as an extension of wood-plastic composites.

Nano-Ag/TiO2 exhibits effective antimicrobial activities; however, its tendency to aggregate limits its application in wood products for improved antimold properties. In this study, nano-Ag/TiO2 was modified by a silane coupling agent (γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane [KH-550]) and then loaded into wood via vacuum impregnation. The effects of KH-550 concentration, Ag/TiO2 concentration, reaction temperature, and incubation time on the antimold rate, loading amount, and leach resistance for wood materials were investigated. Results showed that the antimold rate, loading amount, and fixation rate of mold-proof–treated wood was strengthened by KH-550 modification. The binding affinity and surface energy of nano-Ag/TiO2 was reduced, and the dispersivity of nano-Ag/TiO2 particles was improved after modification. Observation by field emission scanning electron microscopy showed that the modified nano-Ag/TiO2 penetrated into the wood tracheids and formed a tight flocculent structure. X-ray diffractive analysis confirmed that modification did not affect the anatase diffraction pattern of nano-Ag/TiO2 or its photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities. Characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that modified nano-Ag/TiO2 efficiently cross-linked with wood hydroxyl groups. This work provided a simple and effective method to develop a novel nano-Ag/TiO2 antimold agent for wood mold-proof treatment.