Cross Polarization/Magic Angle Spinning ¹³C-NMR Characterization of Steam Exploded Poplar Hood

Abstract

High resolution solid state ¹³ C CP/MAS NMR has been used to study poplar wood samples before and after steam treatment. The principal structural components of wood have been characterized and the main effects of the rapid steam hydrolysis process (hydrolysis of the hemicelluloses, depolymerization of the lignin) were discussed. Evidence of molecular-level interactions between the principal components have been obtained from T ₁ ^Hδ relaxation times of protons belonging to the corresponding species.