The process of heat-treating wood can impart desirable properties, such as dimensional stability, aesthetically appealing color, and increased resistance to moisture and fungal decay, without the addition of chemicals. It also allows for the potential broader applications of indigenous softwoods, instead of relying on the often, slower growing hardwoods. A means to quantify the extent of heat treatment is therefore desired. Correlation between free radical content and the temperature of heat treatment has been explored by others. We therefore measured the radical content of samples with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. We treated samples in a pilot-scale kiln (an industrially relevant process), as well as in the highly controlled and quantifiable environment of a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) instrument. With these samples we measured the free radical content using EPR to determine the rate of radical formation with temperature and the effects of moisture content. Our long-term goal is to find reliable methods for quantifying the extent of heat treatment in thermally treated wood, and to be able to correctly account for the effects of moisture.<br/>

Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis of moist heat-treated wood

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.