Accessibility of hydroxyl groups in furfurylated wood at different weight percent gains and during Rhodonia placenta decay

Abstract

Deuterium exchange was used to measure accessible hydroxyl (OH) groups in furfurylated wood at different weigh percent gains (WPGs) and at different levels of mass loss caused by exposure to the brown-rot fungus Rhodonia placenta. The results from the deuterium exchange method showed that OH accessibility in furfurylated samples did not change with increasing WPGs. However, OH accessibility in furfurylated samples increased significantly after initiation of decay at commercial treatment level (mean WPG 32%), which is attributed to degradation of crystalline cellulose regions and formation of new OH groups in lignin and the furfuryl alcohol polymer.