In this paper, a novel method for wood surface impregnation with inorganic compounds, such as titanium dioxide, wolfram trioxide, and calcium metasilicate, using an alkylimidazolium ionic liquid as solvent-carrier is presented. The aforementioned compounds are able to diffuse into the wood surface and form an even coating that provides higher dimensional stability in wood as well as higher Brinell hardness as compared to non-impregnated materials. The main advantage of the proposed method of impregnation is the use of an eco-friendly ionic liquid, avoiding volatile organic compounds. In addition, the process saves time and energy, as it is faster and requires considerably lower temperatures (40°C as compared to 100–200°C with conventional processes of impregnation).

This paper presents a possible alternative to traditional cellulose nanofibers functionalization, by treatment of the material at low temperatures (25–35°C) with electron-beam irradiated 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid. The treatment promotes decreasing the crystallinity of the cellulose with up to 45% and possible imidazolium moieties grafting to cellulose, as demonstrated from FTIR, XRD, and elemental analysis. The grafting determines water vapors uptake values with 50–70% lower and water vapors uptake rate with 50% lower than those of reference cellulose nanofibers. The grafting determined also improved adhesion of the cellulose nanofibers to HDPE, thus contributing to the obtaining of polymer matrix composites with improved properties.