Elemental analysis, chemical composition, cellulose crystallinity, and FT-IR spectra of Toona sinensis wood

Toona sinensis wood was analyzed for main chemical composition, trace element content, and wood cellulose crystallinity by FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction of its native and extracted forms. The results showed that the ash and the extractives content of Toona sinensis wood were higher than for other leafy trees. The holo-cellulose, cellulose, and lignin content of the wood were 722.2, 458.3, and 213.1 mg g(-1), respectively. Trace element content was: Ca 3.05 x 10(3), Mg 3.34 x 10(2), Fe 1.38 x 10(2), K 1.30 x 10(2), Na 58.0, Al 25.7, Zn 5.91, Cu 4.06, Mn 3.21, and Pb 0.534 mu g g(-1). Extraction of Toona sinensis wood resulted in no significant chemical changes but the band at 1,736 cm(-1) of C=O in lignin and hemicelluloses disappeared and a band at 1,245 cm(-1) of CO-OR in hemicelluloses and C-O in lignin shifted to 1,234 cm(-1) and weakened only in the spectrum of the sample extracted with 1 % (w/w) aqueous sodium hydroxide. The FT-IR crystallinity index of the sample extracted with 1 % (w/w) aqueous sodium hydroxide was less than that of the original wood. The X-ray diffraction crystallinity indices of nitric acid-ethanol cellulose in T. sinensis wood was 0.786. These results indicate that T. sinensis wood probably has good flexibility and strength, and has the potential for use as a biomaterial and/or a bioenergy feedstock.