Characterization of chemically modified wood fibers using FTIR spectroscopy for biocomposites

Chemical modifications of wood fibers (Lignocel® C120) were performed for biocomposite applications, and chemically modified wood fibers were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. NaOH treatment showed band shifts from Cell‐I to Cell‐II in FTIR spectra from 2902 cm −1 , 1425 cm −1 , 1163 cm −1 , 983 cm −1 , and 897 cm −1 to 2894 cm −1 , 1420 cm −1 , 1161 cm −1 , 993 cm −1 , and 895 cm −1 and the change in peak height at 1111 cm −1 and 1059 cm −1 assigned for Cell‐I structure. Silane treatment showed peak changes at 1200 cm −1 assigned as SiOC band, at 765 cm −1 assigned as SiC symmetric stretching bond, at 700 cm −1 assigned as SiOSi symmetric stretching, and at 465 cm −1 assigned as SiOC asymmetric bending. Benzoyl treatment resulted in an increase in the carbonyl stretching absorption at 1723 cm −1 and in band characteristics of aromatic rings (1604 cm −1 and 710 cm −1 ) and a strong absorption at 1272 cm −1 for CO band in aromatic ring. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010