Volume 78, Issue 2

The establishment of fast-growing teak plantations in Indonesia provides opportunities for shorter harvesting periods. However, it also poses challenges on wood utilization due to juvenility and growth stress-related defects. This study investigated growth stress levels and some wood properties of 10-year-old fast-growing teak grown in Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta. The strain gauge method was used to measure longitudinal surface released-strains (LRS), tangential surface released-strains (TRS), and longitudinal internal residual strains (IRS). Wood specimens were also collected near each strain measurement point for the analysis of wood properties. The results showed LRS values ranging from −1243 to 320 με, TRS values ranging from −779 to 382 με, and IRS values ranging from −589 to 786 με. Meanwhile, radial variations in fiber length, modulus of elasticity, and lignin content were observed. Significant correlations were found between IRS values and microfibril angle, fiber length, modulus of elasticity, lignin content, and hemicellulose content, while no significant correlations were observed between LRS and TRS values and wood properties. These findings suggest a moderate level of growth stress. Additionally, the results also indicate that this 10-year-old fast-growing teak is still in the juvenile stage. Therefore, its utilization should be performed with caution.

Lignin dimeric units are characterized by various inter-unit linkage types such as β-O-4, β-5, β-β, and β-1. Spirodienones are the native form of the β-1 structures, but the content in lignin has not been clarified. In this study, the ring-1- 13 C labeled coniferin was synthesized and administered to Ginkgo biloba shoots, obtaining ring-1 selectively labeled xylem samples. Enzymatically saccharified lignin (EL) samples were prepared from the xylem sample (400–600 µm distant region from the cambial zone), and solution-state quantitative 13 C NMR and solid-state CP/MAS NMR measurements were conducted. Acetylated EL (ELAc) was also prepared from the xylem sample (600–800 µm distant region from the cambial zone), and solution-state quantitative 13 C NMR and 1 H– 13 C 2D NMR measurements were conducted. Difference spectra obtained by subtracting the unlabeled spectra from the ring-1 labeled spectra showed that the ring-1 was responsible for broad signals at 134 ppm and signals of the spirodienone structure at 56.11 ppm (in solid-state), 54.70 ppm (EL in solution-state), and 54.72 ppm (ELAc in solution-state). The ratio of spirodienone structure was evaluated as 0.68 % (EL) and 0.72 % (ELAc) by the solution-state quantitative 13 C difference spectra, and 2.3 % (ELAc) by HSQC volume ratio of Cα′-H to G2-H.

Lignin is an abundant polymer found in wood and grasses, but due to its heterogeneity and complex macromolecular structure it has been less utilized than cellulose. While the building blocks are known, the way they are linked is less understood. Here, Molecular Dynamics simulations were used to systematically characterize seven linkages found in native lignin. Their influence on lignin and water structure, and their interactions were analyzed. The study is limited to guaiacyl (G-G) dimers connected by the following common softwood linkages; 5-5′, 4-O-5′, α -O-4′, β -1′, β -5′, β -O-4′ and β - β ′. The simulations show that the linkage has a significant effect on conformational preference and lignin-water interaction. Especially, the behavior of the β -O-4′ shows unique properties, both in terms of conformational freedom and interaction with water. Within the β -O-4′ dimer, π – π stacking between the aromatic rings is possible. The molecule has two distinct common conformations, one compressed and one extended. These preferences also lead to a different effect of β -O-4′ dimer on the surrounding water, where water is found close to the linkage itself but expelled from the aromatic rings to a larger extent than the other linkages. These findings are important for lignin solubility as well as its depolymerization mechanisms.

This study aims to reveal the diversity of thermal-softening temperatures and identify the factors that determine this temperature. To achieve this, the thermal-softening properties of the radial direction of wood were measured under water-saturated conditions for 15 softwood and 72 hardwood specimens. Wood samples were obtained from the xylarium of the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Japan. A dynamic viscoelastic measurement was performed on samples with uniform heating and cooling history because the difference in cooling rate can alter in the mechanical properties of wood. The storage and loss elastic moduli increased linearly as wood density increased, regardless of the wood species. However, the thermal-softening temperature (defined in this study as the peak temperature of loss tangent) was unrelated to the density, anatomical features, species, latitude, and annual rainfall in the habitat. When the relationship between thermal-softening temperature and lignin structure was investigated, a negative correlation was observed between the thermal-softening temperature and the syringyl ratio (syringyl/(syringyl+guaiacyl)) of lignin aromatics. This indicates that the thermal-softening temperature is higher for wood species with denser lignin structures, supporting the prior research showed correlation between thermal-softening temperature and methoxyl group content of wood.

Wood wettability, the process of liquid interaction with wood surfaces, is influenced by wood surface chemistry, structure, ambient conditions, and temperature. Understanding how temperature impacts wood wettability is crucial for high-temperature manufacturing processes. In this study, the sessile drop method was employed to explore the dynamic wettability of Chinese fir wood using three different liquids (water, glycerol and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc)) across a range of temperatures (25, 40, 60 and 80 °C). By considering spreading, penetration and evaporation, we revealed that the dynamic wettability of Chinese fir was strongly dependent on temperature and the type of liquid. Temperature elevation enhances wettability, leading to reduced contact angles and increased penetration ratios. Water exhibited the highest wettability, followed by glycerol, with PVAc being the least wetting agent. Notably, after 180 s of wetting at 80 °C, the measured contact angles were 0° for water, 45° for glycerol, and 120° for PVAc. When accounting for evaporation, the penetration of water decreased from 57 % to 47 % (25 °C) and 100 % to 62 % (80 °C). The activation energies for the penetration of water and PVAc into Chinese fir exhibited variations, with values of 35.3 and 158.3 kJ/mol, respectively. These comprehensive wetting results, covering spreading, penetration and evaporation, provide valuable insights into wood–water and wood–adhesive interactions, particularly when exposed to high-temperature conditions.

Thermal treatment is an effective method for improving the dimensional stability of wood; however, it typically requires high temperatures. To achieve low-temperature heat treatment, this study employed wood samples impregnated with 10 % tannin acid (TA) and examined their changes in dimensional stability and chemical components after heat treatment at various initial moisture content levels. The results revealed that the TA-10 %-HT group exhibited enhanced dimensional stability. Specifically, both the tangential and radial moisture swelling decreased by 21.7 % and 11.8 %, respectively. FTIR and XRD analysis indicated that the presence of tannin acid catalytically facilitated the degradation of hemicellulose. Moreover, an increase in moisture content resulted in the ionization of TA, amplifying acidity and further affecting cellulose degradation. TGA demonstrated that TA impacted the thermal stability of heat-treated materials by lowering the initial decomposition temperature of wood components and increasing the residual weight of wood. Overall, pretreatment with TA impregnation and moisture content significantly improved the dimensional stability of Chinese fir wood and altered its chemical composition. This approach holds considerable potential for enhancing wood properties through a low-energy consumption method during the heat treatment process, expanding the practical application of wood.