Dependence of reaction kinetics and physical and mechanical properties on the reaction systems of acetylation II: physical and mechanical properties

Acetylation of wood was carried out in acetic anhydride only, acetic anhydride/xylene 1:1 (v/v), and acetic anhydride/pyridine 4:1 (v/v) solutions. The antishrink efficiency (ASE), hygroscopic properties, vibrational properties, and bending strength were compared among the three reaction solutions. The ASE was a simple function of weight gain (WG); the equilibrium moisture content at a given WG differed among the reaction solutions. Based on this fact and the results of repeated water soaking and oven-drying tests, it was found that the bulking effect was a major factor, and that decreased hygroscopicity contributes only slightly to the dimensional stabilization by acetylation. The difference in equilibrium moisture content among reaction solutions appears more significant in block samples than wood meal, probably due to the fiber-to-fiber bonds in the former. The tendencies for change in the specific Youngs modulus and the loss tangent differed among reaction solutions, whereas in the static bending test the difference was not marked.Part of this report was represented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Gifu, April 2002     

Dependence of reaction kinetics and physical and mechanical properties on the reaction systems of acetylation I: reaction kinetic aspects

The dependence of the reaction parameters of acetylation on the reaction mixture was compared among uncatalyzed, acetic anhydride-xylene mixed, and acetic anhydride-pyridine mixed solutions. Wood meal and blocks were used to examine the effect of sample size. A first-order rate equation was applied to the data, and a rate constant and leveling off value of weight gain (WG) were estimated. The rate-determining step was examined from the viewpoint of activation energy. The results were as follows: (1) Regarding the magnitude of the rate constant, the order was pyridine system > uncatalyzed system > xylene system. (2) The ultimate value of WG was lower in the uncatalyzed and xylene systems than the pyridine system, probably because of the swelling ability of pyridine. (3) The activation energies of acetylation estimated for wood meal were 120, 135, and 110kJ/mol for the uncatalyzed, xylene, and pyridine systems, respectively. (4) The characteristics of the diffusion-controlled reaction became marked when the acetylation was carried out in the pyridine system, at elevated temperature, and for wood blocks. Under these conditions, the supply of reagent to the reaction site might not be sufficient to fuel the reaction.Part of this report was represented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Gifu, April 2002     

Effect of site and elevation on wood density and shrinkage and their relationships in Carpinus betulus

This study examined the effect of site and elevation on the oven-dry density and volumetric shrinkage of hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) wood.For this purpose,45 normal hornbeam trees from three different sites (Mazandaran,Guilan and Golestan) at three elevations,300 m (low elevation),700 m (intermediate elevation) and 1100 m (high elevation) from natural forest in northern Iran were selected.Disks were cut at breast height from mature wood and test samples were prepared to determine physical properties,i.e.,wood density and volumetric shrinkage.The results show that there are significant differences between site and elevation on these physical properties of wood.The interaction effects between site × elevation on wood density and volumetric shrinkage were also statistically significant.At any fixed site,wood density and volumetric shrinkage increased with elevation.As well,their values at Guilan were higher than those at the other two sites.The relationship between wood density and volumetric shrinkage was determined by simple regression equations.Strong,positive relationships between wood density and volumetric shrinkage at each site were found.Again,these were stronger at the Guilan site than at the other two sites.Given a fixed site,the correlation at high elevation was stronger than at the other two elevations.     

Chemical composition of wood and its connection with wood anatomy in Betula pubescens

ABSTRACT

The connection between chemical composition and anatomy of wood is poorly studied. Abiotic and biotic growth conditions affect the synthesis of structural compounds and the anatomy of wood at the same time as they affect growth. In this study, the wood chemical composition, and connections between wood chemistry and anatomy were studied in downy birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) grown on four growth sites possessing mineral and peat soils. Lignin, holocellulose, extractive and ash contents, and effective heating value were analysed and compared with libriform fibre double wall thickness and lumen diameter, vessel size and number, and ray and axial parenchyma numbers. Measured lignin and extractive contents were exceptionally high and holocellulose content low. Correlations between wood anatomy and effective heating value were partly different on different soils. Correlations between holocellulose and anatomy were the opposite of the correlations between other chemical compounds and anatomy. The significant correlations between chemical composition and anatomy were commonly opposite in trees grown on peat than in trees grown on mineral soil. Particularly, vessel characteristics and fibre wall thickness correlated significantly with wood chemistry in trees grown on mineral soil. The connections between wood anatomy and chemistry proved to be soil-dependent.     

Relation of chemical and mechanical properties of Eucalyptus nitens wood thermally modified in open and closed systems

ABSTRACT

In the present work, Eucalyptus nitens was thermally modified in an open (atmospheric pressure) and a closed (under pressure) reactor system. The effect of the changes of the chemical composition on the mechanical properties was investigated. Hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin, extractives, acetic acid, formic acid, total phenols and the cellulose degree of polymerization (DP) as well as modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were measured for each modification. The results indicated that the closed system modification, particularly at high pressure, presented stronger variations on the chemical structure of the modified wood than the modifications in the open system. In both modifications, MOR showed a better correlation with the chemical changes than the MOE, especially xylose, cellulose DP, lignin and total phenols. These correlations suggest a tendency of a more brittle wood in the closed system modification at high pressure than in the modifications in the open system. Results can be used as a reference for future applications of thermally modified E. nitens wood.     

Contribution of lignin to the reactivity of wood in chemical modifications I: influence of delignification on acetylation

In order to examine the contribution of wood components to the acetylation of wood, we acetylated wood meal that had been partially delignified. The results were analyzed in terms of the reaction kinetics. The first-order rate equation was successfully adjusted to the weight gain data. The rate constant for acetylation initially increased with progress of lignin elimination and then turned to decrease; the apparent activation energy showed the reverse tendency and ranged from about 90 to 130 kJ/mol. These results suggest that lignin elimination brings not only separation of lignin but also drastic change of the chemical and/or physical structure in the residual lignin, and this affects the reactivity of wood meal as a whole. The ultimate weight gain estimated by the regression of the rate equation showed a minimum when lignin was moderately eliminated, which was explained in terms of enhanced reactivity of lignin and lower accessibility for holocellulose than predicted. The equilibrium moisture content had a maximum when lignin was moderately eliminated. This tendency is the opposite of that observed for the ultimate weight gain, and suggests that the sites for acetylation do not always correspond to those for moisture adsorption. Part of this report was presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Sapporo, August 2004     

Influence of the chemical composition of kenaf bast and core on the alkaline pulping response

The bast and core of kenaf,Hibiscus cannabinus L., have markedly different chemical components and alkaline cooking responses. The bast had about double the hot-water extractives content and only about half the lignin content of the core. The core contained a large amount of hemicellulose, mostly composed of xylan. The lignin structures of bast and core were also quite different: The former had a significant abundance of syringyl structures. Evidence showed that the bast was much more easily delignified than the core. When the bast and core were cooked together in alkaline condition, the pulp yields at the same kappa number were higher than those of the individual pulpings of bast and core. The bast-core pulping gave a positive effect on the yield of bast pulp in the sodaanthraquinone and kraft pulpings. On the other hand, kenaf was abundant in the hot water extractives. These extractives consumed alkali during cooking to a relatively large extent but acted as a protector of hemicellulose and slightly increased the pulp yields.Part of this paper was presented at the 48th and 49th Annual Meetings of the Japan Wood Research Society, Shizuoka, April 3–5, 1998 and Tokyo, April 3–5, 1999     

高温热处理对桃花心木化学性质的影响

热处理是木材加工行业中常用的处理手段之一,可有效提升木材尺寸稳定性及具有防生物侵蚀能力,但在一定程度上也会降低木材的力学性能.热处理导致木材材性变化的根本原因是木材组分含量及其分子结构在热量作用下发生了变化.笔者探索了不同热处理温度下(150,165,180,195和210℃)桃花心木材的化学组分变化.结果表明:经热处...     

The use of near-infrared scanning for the prediction of pulp yield and chemical properties of Pinus patula in the Mpumalanga escarpment area of South Africa

Near-infrared (NIR) scanning technology is regarded as a potential tool for rapid determination of wood properties, which can substitute time-consuming and costly traditional methods. Pinus patula is the most important softwood species in South Africa, and this study is aimed at developing NIR calibration models for quick prediction of its pulp yield and chemical composition. A total of 85 trees from 17 plots, covering the range of site conditions in the Mpumalanga escarpment area, were sampled. Two samples were taken from each tree: a 1 m billet above breast height and a 20 mm disc at breast height. The billet was pulped using the kraft pulping process to determine pulp yield. The disc was ground into sawdust and the chemical composition was determined using conventional wet chemistry. Sawdust was scanned on a NIR spectrophotometer to produce NIR spectra. Calibration models to predict pulp yield, cellulose and lignin content were developed by applying chemometrics and partial least squares regression. Validation and determination of prediction accuracy of the models were performed using independent data. The prediction of cellulose and lignin were acceptable with correlations of determinations (r ²) of 0.71 and 0.70 respectively. Standard errors of prediction were generally low (less that 0.86) for all the models. The prediction r ² for both total and screened pulp yield were only 0.62. Although the cellulose and lignin models can be used with confidence, the expansion of the sample size for follow-up research must be considered in order to increase the variability of tested wood properties and improve the prediction strength of the models. The NIR calibration provided in this study can contribute to the efficient examination of forest site-to-wood quality relationships that would enhance precision forest management and wood processing efficiency.     

Micromorphology,moisture sorption and mechanical properties of a biocomposite based on acetylated wood particles and cellulose ester

Abstract

One of the major issues in a long-term perspective for the use of wood–plastic composites (WPCs) in outdoor applications is the moisture sensitivity of the wood component and the consequent dimensional instability and susceptibility to biological degradation of the composite. In this work, the effects of using an acetylated wood component and a cellulose ester as matrix on the micromorphology, mechanical performance and moisture uptake of injection-moulded WPCs have been studied. Composites based on unmodified and acetylated wood particles, specially designed with a length-to-width ratio of about 5–7, combined with both cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) and polypropylene (PP) matrices were studied. The size and shape of the wood particles were studied before and after the processing using light microscopy, and the micromorphology of the composites was studied using a newly developed surface preparation technique based on ultraviolet laser irradiation combined with low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (LV-SEM). The water vapour sorption in the composites and the effect of accelerated weathering were measured using thin samples which were allowed to reach equilibrium moisture content (EMC). The length-to-diameter ratio was only slightly decreased for the acetylated particles after compounding and injection moulding, although both the unmodified and the acetylated particles were smaller in size after the processing steps. The tensile strength was about 40% higher for the composite based on acetylated wood than for the composite with unmodified wood using either CAP or PP as matrix, whereas the notched impact strength of the composite based on acetylated wood was about 20% lower than those of the corresponding unmodified composites. The sorption experiments showed that the EMC was 50% lower in the composites with an acetylated wood component than in the composites with an unmodified wood component. The choice of matrix material strongly affected the moisture absorptivity of the WPC. The composites with CAP as matrix gained moisture more rapidly than the composites with PP as matrix. It was also found that accelerated ageing in a Weather-Ometer® significantly increased the moisture sensitivity of the PP-based composites.     

Influence of a long-term storage in anaerobic conditions on Norway spruce (Picea abies,L. Karst.) physical and mechanical wood properties

Timber storage is a key aspect of storm damage management. After huge storms, sprinkling storage is usually the most used conservation process but anaerobic storage in sealed silos appears as good alternative to preserve wood quality over long periods. This paper investigates the impact of long-term (57 months) storage of Norway spruce logs in anaerobic atmosphere on wood properties. Tests were performed on clear wood specimens and on lumbers to determine the modulus of elasticity (E), the static bending strength (σ_f) and the dynamic bending strength (K). Storage effects on impregnability and colour variation were also studied. Results show no effect of storage on E, σ_f and K. The naturally poor impregnability of Norway spruce is not improved by the anaerobic conditions, compared to traditional wet storage. Triangle tests reveal no discernible colour variation between logs that underwent anaerobic storage and the control sample. As a conclusion, despite a mould (Gliocladium solani) frequently observed on logs surface after the storage, the process offers ideal conservation conditions. While overall cost remains the main drawback for using anaerobic storage at large scale, the process can be recommended for high value logs, especially since it has few environmental impacts.     

离体毛竹笋纤维素和木质素含量及POD和PAL活性研究

研究了离体后毛竹笋纤维素、木质素含量以及苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性的变化.结果显示:笋体纤维素、木质素含量从笋尖到笋基部逐渐增加;PAL、POD活性笋尖明显高于笋基部.离体后贮藏的竹笋纤维素、木质素含量随贮藏时间的延长而增加,在前5 d纤维素的增加速度极快,在后5 d增加速度明显趋缓,但木质素含量随贮藏时间的延长基本呈匀速态势增加;POD、PAL活性随贮藏时间的延长,活性均显著增加.对离体竹笋进行低温处理(4 ℃)可显著降低竹笋的PAL、POD活性,减少木质素和纤维素合成,低温对纤维素的影响高于木质素.     

不同植被类型对沙地土壤理化性质的影响

为探讨不同植被类型与沙地土壤理化性质的影响,对我国辽西北沙地不同植被类型下土壤容重、土壤养分、水分含量进行了测定和分析。结果表明：辽西北沙地8种典型植被类型土壤容重大小依次为荒草地〉油松纯林〉弃耕地〉樟子松林〉山杏林〉榆树疏林〉松杨混交林〉杨树纯林;沙地经过人工固定后土壤的养分含量发生了变化,土壤有机质含量和全氮含量有不同程度的提高,全磷、全钾则有不同程度的下降。在雨季,针叶树林地土壤含水量高于其他植被类型,农业弃耕地在7月份和10月份中土壤表层含水量较高,山杏林地在不同时期含水量均表现为最低。     

Use of amino silane coupling agent to improve physical and mechanical properties of UF-bonded wheat straw(Triticum aestivum L.) poplar wood particleboard

We evaluated the potential use of amino silane coupling agent(Si NH) to improve physical and mechanical properties of UF-bonded wheat straw(Triticum aestivum L.) poplar wood particleboard. We examined the effects of varied content of silane coupling agent content and ratios of straw to poplar wood particles on particleboard properties. The ratios of straw to poplar wood particles were100:0, 85:15, 70:30 and 55:45. Silane coupling agent content was tested at three levels, 0, 5 and 10 %. The experimental panels were tested for their mechanical strength, including modulus of elasticity(MOE), modulus of rupture(MOR), internal bonding(IB) and physical properties according to procedures specified in DIN 68763(Chipboard for special purposes in building construction:concepts, requirements, testing, 1982–03, 1982). All board properties were improved by the addition of silane coupling agent. The use of poplar wood particles had a positive effect on the mechanical properties of wheat straw particleboard but had a negative effect on physical properties(thickness swelling and water absorption).     

Investigation into the antioxidant activity and chemical composition of alcoholic extracts from defatted marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) residue

The influence of various solvents on the yield of polyphenols from defatted marigold residue, the antioxidant activity of the extracts and the composition of antioxidant compounds in the extracts were investigated. The content of total phenolics and flavonoids in the extracts was significantly varied with different solvents (P<0.05) and the extract by ethyl alcohol (EtOH)/water (7:3, v/v) has the highest content of total phenolics and flavonoids, 62.33 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g and 97.00 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by radical (2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)) scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The results of the correlation analysis showed that the antioxidant activity was well correlated with the content of total phenolics and flavonoids (R2>0.900). Antioxidant components in the extracts were identified by combined on-line HPLC-ABTS·+ post-column assay and HPLC-DAD-MS method. Gallic acid, gallicin, quercetagetin, 6-hydroxykaempferol-O-hexoside, patuletin-O-hexoside and quercetin were the dominant antioxidant compounds in the extracts, and quercetagetin was identified as the strongest antioxidant capacity.     

蒸汽爆破和有机溶剂预处理对杨木底物酶水解性质的影响

选取三倍体毛白杨为原料,通过分析最优条件下有机溶剂法和蒸汽爆破法预处理后纤维素得率、结晶度指数、木质素含量及酶水解的结果,比较两种预处理工艺对底物性质的影响。结果表明:蒸汽爆破法能脱出部分木质素,而有机溶剂法能使大部分木质素脱除,木质素质量分数比未处理的降低63.34%。与原料相比,经过预处理后,结晶度指数都有所提高,蒸汽爆破预处理后达1.962,有机溶剂法预处理后达1.712。有机溶剂法预处理的样品葡萄糖转化率为81.36%,蒸汽爆破预处理的样品的葡萄糖转化率可达91.29%。     

Effect of land-use changes on chemical and physical properties of soil in western Iran(Zagros oak forests)

The consequence of land-use change from forest to agriculture and other uses has become one of the world’s greatest concerns.The soil,one of the most important components of forests and containing all the required plant nutrients as soluble ions,is highly impacted by these changes.Because vast areas of the Zagros forests in western Iran have changed in use during the last few decades,the present study investigated the effects of landuse changes of forest area to agriculture,orchard,and agroforestry on soil chemical and physical properties.Soil was sampled at four land-use areas:less-disturbed forest areas(control)and agricultural,orchard,and agroforestry areas.Among each of the two forest-use areas(agroforestry and orchard),we selected five trees with similar-sized crowns and sampled under each tree crown at 0-15 and>15-30 cm depths.Five soil samples also were taken in agriculture area at each depth.The findings indicated that during land-use changes,soil sand particles decreased,and clay and silt particles of soil increased,resulting in a fine soil texture.Moreover,the amount of nitrogen(N),phosphorus(P),organic carbon(OC),and electrical conductivity(EC)of soil decreased at both depths due to the decrease in organic matter.Soil pH and magnesium(Mg)level rose during land-use change at both depths except at agricultural sites.Soil potassium(K)content decreased during agricultural use due to the elimination of tree cover.The level of K decreased only at the depth of 0-15 cm because of K dependency on parent materials.Generally,most soil nutrients were affected by plant removal in the conversion.Forest and agricultural soil are distinguishable by their properties,while land-uses such as agroforestry-orchard separated from the others.Soil nutrients were severely affected by the decrease and elimination of tree cover,plowing,and continuous harvesting,resulting in a decline in soil quality and fertility.     

外生菌根菌对巨桉人工林土壤理化性质的影响

该文调查了四川乐山沙湾、眉山丹棱巨桉人工林下外生菌根菌土,测定了土壤养分情况。结果表明：两地所采集的菌根土的理化指标与对照相比有明显变化,样地Ⅰ菌根土pH值显著高于对照土,有机质含量与对照相比并不显著,样地ⅡpH值显著低于对照,而有机质含量明显高于对照;两样地菌根土的全N、水解N、全P和有效P含量均显著高于对照;大孢硬皮马勃的菌根土全K含量与对照相比并不显著,彩色豆马勃和马勃状硬皮马勃的菌根土全K含量均显著低于对照（P〈0.05）;样地Ⅰ菌根土速效K含量与对照差异不显著,样地Ⅱ菌根土速效K含量显著低于对照。由此可见,巨桉外生菌根真菌对提高巨桉人工林的土壤肥力,维护人工林地力具有一定作用。     

Changes in the physical properties of two Acacia compost-based growing media and their effects on carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) seedling development

In arid zones, the use of compost for plant production in forest nurseries is hindered by a lack of water. The main objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the physical stability of composts produced from shredded branches of Acacia cyanophylla and A. cyclops subjected to a repeated drying and wetting cycles, similar to those used at the operational scale in nurseries in arid regions and to compare these composts with a standard peat-vermiculite (PV) substrate; (2) to identify the relevant substrate physical variables that correlate with seedling growth. Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) was cultivated during a production cycle of 27 weeks in a completely randomized block experiment. Substrate physical variables were measured at the beginning, middle and end of the experiment. Seedling growth variables were evaluated over the course of the production cycle, while gas exchange and water-relation variables were measured during a wetting and drying cycle at the end of the experiment. All three substrates produced vigorous seedlings with well-developed root systems that colonized the entire root plug. The growth of seedlings produced in the PV substrate was better than those grown in the compost-based substrates. No significant differences in gas exchange capacities and water relation variables were observed among the three substrates at the end of experiment with the exception of net photosynthesis, which was higher for the PV substrate at high substrate matric potential. Excessive drainage was negatively correlated with growth variables while water availability in the early growth phase and air porosity towards the end of experiment were positively correlated. Performance of the two composts could be increased by improving their initial structure and stability and by adjusting the irrigation regime.     

Effect of shifting cultivation on soil physical and chemical properties in Bandarban hill district, Bangladesh

This study reports the effects of shifting cultivation at slashing stage on soil physicochemical properties at Bandarban Sadar Upazila in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. At this initial stage of ...