Issue

Vol. 18 (2026)

Eco-Friendly, Multi-Mode Processable Highly Moldable Wood Enabled by the Reconstruction of Hydrogen-Bonding Domain

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02121-y
Rui Yang
Jiangsu Co‑Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People’s Republic of China
Linghui Qi
Jiangsu Co‑Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People’s Republic of China
Xiaoli Wu
School of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People’s Republic of China
Zhipeng Liu
Jiangsu Co‑Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People’s Republic of China
Huiyang Bian
Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Sustainable Pulp and Paper Technology and Biomass Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People’s Republic of China
Changlei Xia
Jiangsu Co‑Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People’s Republic of China
Changtong Mei
Jiangsu Co‑Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People’s Republic of China
Shuaicheng Jiang
State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources & MOE Key Laboratory of Wood Material Science and Application, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100091, People’s Republic of China
Meng Yao
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, People’s Republic of China
Jianzhang Li
State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources & MOE Key Laboratory of Wood Material Science and Application, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100091, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Jianzhang Li

lijzh@bjfu.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 269

Abstract

The production of advanced 3D engineering materials relies on energy-intensive moldable materials such as metals and plastics, making it difficult to cope with the increasingly severe global energy crisis. Wood, as a sustainable material, can be molded through hydrothermal treatment, but the limited plasticity hinders its ability to manufacture precision devices. Herein, the process of hydrogen-bond domain reorganization is used in the manufacture of highly moldable wood to enhance the plasticity of wood and ensure the stability of the cellulose structure. The native hydrogen-bond network in the wood cell wall is disrupted and liberated the cellulose fibril matrix through delignification. Subsequent epoxidized soybean oil acrylate (AESO) plasticization enables significantly enhanced plasticity. Hydrogen-bond domains between fibers are reconstructed through moisture variation. Meanwhile, AESO forms a protective layer on the surface of the fibers, preventing excessive moisture from entering and causing the collapse of the fiber framework. This process allows the material to be shaped into complex 3D geometries, including origami cranes or honeycombs, through low-energy hydrothermal processing. This strategy addresses both dimensional stability challenges and environmental instability associated with wood composite materials and offers an eco-friendly alternative to functionalized structures in aviation and transportation.


Highlights:
1 A hydrogen-bond reconstruction strategy creates a moldable wood with greatly improved dimensional stability (≈ 80% lower moisture absorption) and plasticity for precision 3D shaping.
2 We develop a moldable wood that combines high plasticity with exceptional water resistance, enabling the creation of complex, precise 3D structures like mechanical metamaterials.
3 This moldable wood bridges sustainable materials and precision engineering, offering an energy-efficient alternative to synthetic composites in demanding fields like aviation.

Keywords

Wood modification 3D structures Flexible and moldable wood Reconstruction of hydrogen-bonding domains
Yang, Rui, Linghui Qi, Xiaoli Wu, Zhipeng Liu, Huiyang Bian, Changlei Xia, Changtong Mei, Shuaicheng Jiang, Meng Yao, and Jianzhang Li. 2026. “Eco-Friendly, Multi-Mode Processable Highly Moldable Wood Enabled by the Reconstruction of Hydrogen-Bonding Domain”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (March):269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02121-y.
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