Wood susceptibility to fungal degradation may be reduced by a range of non-toxic wood modification methods. Some modification methods alter wood-water interactions, which could be the reason for its improved durability. In this study, we refined a well-known chemical modification with acetic anhydride and showed how the spatial distribution of the modification could be controlled in Norway spruce. The aim of the refined modification was to alter the wood-water interactions differently in different parts of the wood structure. By controlling the acetylation reaction conditions, it was possible to acetylate only the cell wall-lumen interface, or uniformly modify the whole cell wall to different degrees. The spatial distribution of the acetylation was visualized by confocal Raman microspectros-copy. The developed method is beneficial for studies of how the moisture distribution within the wood affects its susceptibility towards fungal decomposition and is useful when designing novel wood modification systems and wood products.
Keywords: Wood modification, moisture, Raman micro-spectroscopy
Authors
Ramūnas Digaitis
Malmo University, Sweden and NIBIO, Norway
Emil E. Thybring
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Lisbeth G. Thygesen
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Maria Fredriksson
Lund University, Sweden
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