COMPARISON OF TWO METHOD FOR ISOLATION OF FIBRILLATED CELLULOSE FROM LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS

Fibrillated cellulose from distillery refuse based on maize starch was prepared by two different procedures. The effect of sonification was evaluated atacid-alkali extractionas well as the type of used acid. The results from the alkali-acid procedure were compared with these obtained by method of steam explosion at different temperatures. The acid-alkali method brings a better result regarding degradation of hemicellulose and lignin as well as cellulose. Lignin/hemicellulose were only released from lignocellulose network using steam explosion at 120-180°C. At higher temperature, the results were comparable with those obtained by acid-alkali method. Similarly pore size distribution of filter paper decreased more significantly when fibrillated cellulose from acid-alkali treatment was applied. After steam explosion, higher extend of longer still fibres remains

INFRARED SPECTRUM CHANGE OF UV IRRADIATED AND NATURAL WOOD SAMPLES DURING 12 YEARS OF STORAGE IN TOTAL DARKNESS

The stability of the surface of UV-irradiated wood samples was investigated after 12 years of storage in total darkness at room temperature. The investigated specimens were earlywood and latewood of Scots pine sapwood, earlywood and latewood of spruce, earlywood of ash, beech and hybrid poplar. The thin (1 mm tick) samples contained only earlywood or latewood, and the tangential surfaces were used for infrared spectrum measurement. For comparison, the non-irradiated natural surface (back side) of the specimens was used for infrared spectrum measurement. Natural wood surfaces were stable during the storage. Only ether linkages in hemicelluloses showed minor degradation at 1175 cm-1 wavenumber. Lignin molecules remained stable during the 12-year storage period on both UV irradiated and non-irradiated side of the specimens. In contrast, UV irradiated samples suffered alterations during the 12 years of thermal treatment at low temperature (20-25°C). Hemicelluloses in photodegraded surface layers underwent thermal degradation and oxidation processes, generating new carbonyl groups. Extractives also presented absorption increase in the conjugated carbonyl region