The aim of this study was to use Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) to localize chitosan in the cell wall of chitosan impregnated Scots pine. It is of both general and specific interest to investigate the concentration of chitosan in the wood matrix to gain further knowledge and understanding of chitosan as a wood protective system. After deacetylation, chitosan was re-acetylated with chloroacetic anhydride to achieve a covalent bonding of chloride to the chitosan polymer. Chloride labeled chitosan was measured by EDS using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and described in apparent concentration of chloride. Analysis for free chloride anions was tested by dialysis and ion chromatography. There was a significant correlation between the molecular weight of chitosan and the apparent concentration of covalent bonded chloride to the chitosan polymer. High molecular weight chitosan showed a better interaction with the cell wall structure than low molecular chitosan.
Keywords: Chitosan, chloroacetic anhydride, EDS, Scots pine, SEM
Authors
Larnøy E.
Section Wood Technology, Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, Ås, Norway
Eikenes M.
Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, Ås, Norway
Militz H.
University of Göttingen, Institute of Wood Biology and Wood Technology, Göttingen, Germany
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