Abstract:
This study explores task-specific ionic liquids (TSILs) in smart floor systems, highlighting
their strong electrical rectification abilities and previously established wood preservative properties.
Two types of TSILs, featuring a “sweet” anion and a terpene-based cation, were used to treat selected
wood samples, allowing for a comparison of their physical and electrical performance with untreated
and commercially treated counterparts. Drop shape analysis and scanning electron microscopy were
employed to evaluate the surface treatment before and after coating. Near-IR was used to confirm
the presence of a surface modifier, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was utilized to assess the
thermal features of the treated samples. The different surface treatments resulted in varied triboelectric
nanogenerator (TENG) parameters, with the molecular structure and size of the side chains being the
key determining factors. The best results were achieved with TSILs, with the instantaneous voltage
increasing by approximately five times and the highest voltage reaching 300 V under enhanced loading.
This work provides fresh insights into the potential application spectrum of TSILs and opens up new
avenues for directly utilizing tested ionic compounds in construction systems.
