Cambazoglu, MerveTomak, Eylem D.Ermeydan, Mahmut A.2026-02-122026-02-1220231472-35811478-4408https://doi.org/10.1111/cote.12645https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12885/6940Increasing environmental pressures over the last few years have led to attention for non-biocide treatments in the wood protection field. The epsilon-caprolactone modification of wood by substitution or blocking of hydroxyl groups with hydrophobic poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) is one of the novel modification methods developed in recent years. In this study, ring-opening polymerisation of epsilon-caprolactone in wood cell walls was evaluated by the third and sixth re-use of recovered monomer and by oven-curing method. Spruce samples were modified by re-used epsilon-caprolactone and exposed to the natural weathering agents for 12 months. After weathering, the colour change, surface roughness measurements, and macroscopic and ultra-microscopic observations revealed that the modified wood had better surface properties than reference wood. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis proved that PCL could be found on the weathered surface up to the sixth month, but very little amount was detected on the surfaces with a longer weathering period. The results clearly showed that the efficiency of PCL modification with re-use of the monomer solution was sufficient during the initial weathering periods, but efficiency was reduced after a prolonged exposure period.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessRing-Opening PolymerizationDimensional StabilityConversionBiomassArticle10.1111/cote.126451393265275WOS:0008685622000012-s2.0-85139940834Q2Q2