Investigation of Structural Changes of Alkaline-extracted Wood Using X-ray Microtomography and X-ray Diffraction: A Comparison of Microwave versus Conventional Method of Extraction

Abstract

The effect of extraction of wood components on wood anatomy and cellulose crystallinity was studied using X-ray computed microtomography (micro CT) and X-ray crystallography. Micro CT of the xylem vessels of birch wood samples was used for the quantitative determination of the wood porosity after conventional and microwave extraction. The method was also used as an indirect means for the determination of temperature generated inside the fibers. Original porosity of birch wood was 18.5 ± 1.5%, and porosity increased with both extractions. The increase in wood porosity after 10 minutes of microwave extraction was double that of wood after conventional method of extraction at 90°C for two hours (42% vs. 26%), indicating a sudden rupture of the wood structure due to the volumetric heating effect produced by the microwave heating. Comparison of porosities of the conventionally extracted samples at different temperatures for the same duration indicated that the temperature generated inside the fibers during 10 minutes of microwave extraction is around 120°C. Crystallinity of cellulose did not change after both extractions, suggesting that the extraction did not affect the strength of the fibers.

Keywords:

• X-ray microtomography
• microstructure
• wood anatomy
• porosity
• microwave extraction
• alkaline extraction

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from Ontario Research Fund-Research Excellence (ORE-RE) and in-kind support from St. Mary's Paper, Ontario, Canada.