Alkaline delignification of tropical hardwoods: a promising approach for materials development
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Wood delignification is a promising method, prior to densification, for developing new materials from tropical hardwoods. This study investigated the uniformity and efficiency of partial alkaline delignification of three commercially important tropical hardwoods (Andiroba, Sande, and Choiba) using a mixed aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfite as a pretreatment for densification. The effects and distribution of the solution under the influence of the anatomical features of each hardwood were analyzed using FT-IR, OM, and SEM. The process resulted in the partial removal of lignin and hemicellulose in varying proportions between the center and ends of the wood. This reduction in lignin and hemicellulose content led to a decrease in modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and hardness (about 34% in all three species) of the delignified wood (DW). Additionally, the results suggest that sodium accumulation (about 2% in all three species) in the wood structure may also modify its mechanical properties. The relationship between the chemical treatment and the anatomical characteristics of the wood species was found to influence delignification, which in turn affected the effectiveness of densification and subsequent compression. The findings of this study suggest that alkaline delignification is a promising approach for developing new materials from tropical hardwoods, but further research is needed to optimize the process and minimize the negative impact on mechanical properties. © 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Palabras clave
Anatomical structure, partial delignification, tropical hardwoods, wood chemistry, wood modification, Alkalinity, Biogeochemistry, Delignification, Hardwoods, Wood chemicals, Alkalines, Anatomical structures, Densifications, Material development, Mechanical, Partial delignification, Property, Tropical hardwood, Wood chemistry, Wood modification, Sodium sulfite