Detection and distribution analysis of organosilicon compounds in wood by means of SEM-EDX and micro-CT

Published Date
January 2006, Vol.56(1):39–48, doi:10.1016/j.matchar.2005.09.007

Author 

L. De Vetter ^a,,

V. Cnudde ^b

B. Masschaele ^b

P.J.S. Jacobs ^b

J. Van Acker ^a

aGhent University, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Laboratory of Wood Technology, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium

bGhent University, Department of Geology and Soil Science, Krijgslaan 281/S8, B-9000 Gent, Belgium

Received 26 May 2005. Accepted 19 September 2005. Available online 2 November 2005.

Abstract

This article explores the potential of a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer in combination with a new non-destructive 3D visualization technique, X-ray micro-computed tomography, as detection methods for siloxanes/silanes mixtures applied as wood preservatives. In order to have a higher contrast, bromine functional silane was added to the mixture. Scots pine and beech samples were dipped or impregnated with the mixture and subsequently scanned. Both silicon and bromine were easily detectable with both techniques. Dipped siloxanes/silanes covered the cell walls partly in beech and the lumen partly or completely in Scots pine. Impregnated siloxanes/silanes could be found in the cell walls of both wood species. From the results, it can be concluded that, under the circumstances as described in the article, impregnation with a siloxane is necessary to have cell wall penetration. The combination of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and micro-computed tomography can offer important information concerning the localization of certain products inside wood. While the last of these can monitor changes in 3D, the other two techniques can provide detailed 2D information. Both techniques are complementary and provide important extra information.

Keywords

Siloxane

Silane

Wood modification

Scanning electron microscopy

Micro-CT

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