New aspects in cationization of lignocellulose materials. VI. Modification of steam‐exploded aspen wood chips with quarternary ammonium groups

Abstract

AbstractHolocellulose prepared from steam‐exploded aspen wood was gradually fractionated with 2.5% NH4OH, 4.5% NaOH, and 17.5% NaOH, respectively. Some residual polysaccharides were extracted from the material in this way, but their yield was only about 5%. Trimethylammonium‐2‐hydroxypropyl (TMAHP)‐derivatives, exploded aspen wood (EXAW), were prepared by the reaction with 3‐chlor‐2‐hydroxypropyl trimethylammoniumchloride (CHMAC) in alkaline medium. The quantity of water and alkali extracted TMAHP–polysaccharides (yield 2.6%) was lower than the yields from modified healthy beech and aspen, as well as rotten aspen. On the other hand, we can obtain more modified cellulose‐rich and lignin‐rich material than from previously mentioned species. The steam‐explosion process is suitable for increasing the accessibility of cellulose component in lignocellulose material for chemical modification.