Effect of steam treatment on chemical changes of wood components

Poplar wood chips were treated by steaming in different conditions. The chemical composition changes of milled wood were studied. The obtained results indicate hemicelluloses degradation, reduction of acetyl groups and formation of organic acid during the treatment. It was also found that steam treatment has led to degradation of low-molecular lignin units, decrease in cellulose amorphous regions, increase of acetone extractives and hot water solubility as well as one percent sodium hydroxide solubility. The FT-IR spectra indicated a structural change of aromatic polymers in the wood, cleavage of the acetyl group of hemicelluloses and formation of organic acid.