Analysis of Wood Polymers
FTIR spectra of Pinus sylvestris L. decayed by C. puteana. Average percentage weight loss of the sample has been labeled on each curve
The purpose of this research is to characterize and analyze the polymeric constituents of wood directly from solid wood surfaces using modern spectroscopic techniques, which include FTIR, NMR, fluorescence and Raman Spectroscopy.
FTIR studies were carried out to examine qualitative and quantitative changes in lignin and carbohydrate components relative to one another in wood decayed by brown-rots and white-rots. Lignin to carbohydrate ratios estimated using FTIR correlated well with lignin contents determined by wet chemical methods. The study demonstrates usefulness of this technique for the rapid detection of wood decay at early stages by brown rot fungi and identifying the type/nature of decaying organisms and determining quantitative changes in wood constituents with relative to each other. It has advantage over wet lab chemical methods, which are time consuming and requires a large amount of sample for evaluation.
Important Publications:
1. K. K Pandey: A Study of chemical structure of soft and hardwood and wood polymers by FTIR spectroscopy. J. Applied Polymer Science, 71 (1999) 1969-1975.
2. K. K. Pandey and K.S Theagarajan: Analysis of wood surfaces and ground wood by diffuse reflectance (DRIFT) and photoacoustic (PAS) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic techniques. Holz Roh-und Werkstoff , 55 (1997) 383-390.
3. K. K. Pandey and A.J. Pitman: FTIR studies of the changes in wood chemistry following decay by brown-rot and white-rot fungi. International Biodeteriotation and Biodegradation, 52 (2003) 151-160.
4. K. K. Pandey and A.J. Pitman: Examination of lignin content in a softwood and hardwood decayed by a brown-rot fungus using the acetyl bromide method and FTIR spectroscopy. J. Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry 42 (2004) 2340-2346.
5. K. K Pandey and H.C. Nagaveni: Rapid characterization of brown and white rot degraded chir pine and rubberwood by FTIR. Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff, 65 (6), 2007, 477-481.
6. K. K. Pandey, N. K. Upreti and V.V. Srinivasan: A Fluorescence spectroscopic study on wood. Wood Science and Technology, 32 (1998) 309-315.
