Thermoplasticization etherification

This chapter deals with the chemical modification of wood by such methods as etherification, esterification, and thermoplasticization of wood, with emphasis on recent and new research in these fields. 

More recently, Kiguchi reported benzylation of wood particles with the solvent dilution and vapor phase methods for reducing the amount of benzyl chloride in the etherification agent [12]. In the vapor phase benzylation below the boiling point of benzyl chloride, greatly thermoplasticized particles could be produced after 2-4 h at 140°C. However, in the solvent dilution method, higher reaction temperatures and longer reaction times than those in the ordinary liquid phase method were found to be necessary to obtain the thermoplasticized particles. 

Rgure 10 Etherification treatments for surface thermoplasticization of wood. 

Kiguchi [55] used ESCA to monitor surface changes in chemically modified sugi during and after exposure to UV light from 20-W UV fluorescent lamps. Chemical modification treatments included (1) methylation and reduction and (2) etherification with butylene oxide. In addition, wood samples that had been benzylated and then thermoplasticized by hot pressing were coated with... 

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