FTIR, Powder X‐RD and DSC Analysis of African Padauk Wood to Elucidate Possible Applications

Abstract

African padauk wood having inner color light sandal and outer yellowish orange is characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra, Powder X‐ Ray Diffraction (P‐XRD) and thermal analysis. The FTIR analysis confirms the presence of cellulose, lignin and hemicelluloses. Also outer part of the wood is more lignified than inner part. P‐XRD analysis reveals inner part of the padauk wood is less crystalline than outer part. Compression test shows that the outer part of the sample is having compression strength around 3.6 times than that of the inner one. Hence inner part can be used for pulp and paper industries while outer part can be used for construction. From thermal analysis, both the parts of the sample shows different values of glass transition temperature, different steps of mass loss and different values of residues after decomposition. Hence they are physically distinct. From the thermal analysis it is concluded that outer part can be used as carbon sink.

Changes of Meranti, Padauk, and Merbau Wood Lignin during the ThermoWood Process

“…Given the similarity of the trends of the measured absorbances for meranti, padauk, and merbau, the FTIR spectra will be evaluated together (in the case of more significant unequal behavior between them, this will be mentioned). A broad band around 3400 cm −1 (OH stretching vibration in alcohols, acids, phenols, and weakly bounded absorbed water in lignin) [ 22 , 48 ] and bands around 2940 and 2840 cm −1 (C−H stretching in methyl and methylene groups) [ 49 , 50 ] show only negligible changes in absorbance during the thermal treatment. The absorbance of the band at 1710 cm −1 (C=O vibrations of non-conjugated carbonyl groups) increases with the increasing temperature (with a maximum at 210 °C).…”

“…Padauk wood is used for making furniture, musical instruments, and for construction purposes. Although many applications are implemented, it is still possible to obtain many new applications of this material [ 22 , 23 ]. Thermal treatment of iroko and padauk wood caused a decrease in its density, colour darkening, and considerable improvement of dimensional stability [ 24 ].…”