Microdistribution of Some Copper and Zinc Containing Waterborne and Organic Solvent Wood Preservatives in Spruce Wood Cell Walls
Summary The microdistribution of copper and zinc in the cell walls of spruce wood treated with water borne copper chloride, ammoniacal copper octanoate, ammoniacal zinc octanoate and with copper carboxylates dissolved in an organic solvent was studied using transmission electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis. The highest content of copper and zinc was measured in cell corners and middle lamellae, that is in the constituents with the highest proportions of lignin. The same feature was observed also in the case of copper carboxylates dissolved in white spirit. On the basis of these results it was presumed that, within wood, lignin functional groups are preferential adsorption sites for transition metal ions irrespective of the carrier solvent.