Relaxation behaviour of the amorphous components of wood

Abstract

The viscoelastic properties of mod were investigated using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Under a limited set of conditions, two separate glass transitions (T _g) could be identified with both techniques. These two transitions were identified as arising from the amorphous lignin and hernicellulose matrix in the wood cell wall. Moisture dramatically affected the temperature at which the two dispersions occurred and, consequently, the ability to resolve their independent responses. The relationship betweenT _g and moisture for both components could be modelled with the Kwei equation, which accounts for the presence of secondary interactions. Annealing and specific interactions of a series of organic diluents were wed in an attempt to enhance the resolution of the two components values ofT _g. Time-temperature superposition was shown to be applicable to wood plasticized with ethyl formamide, following Williams-Landel-Ferry behaviour over the temperature rangeT _g toT _g + 85° C. These observations allow certain conclusions to be drawn concerning the applicability of existing models of the wood cell wall's supermolecular morphology. Most notably, models of thein situ morphology of the three wood components can be limited to those which consider the amorphous matrix of lignin and hemicellulose to be immiscible.