International Journal of Forestry and Wood Science

Vol.6(1), pp. 054-061, January, 2019. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: 2167-0465

Research Article
Chemical Modification of Wood Using Vinegar and Benzoic
Acid against Termites Degradation
*Azeh Yakubu1, Yohanna Bello Paiko2, Gimba Alfred3
1,2,3Department of Chemistry, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, P. M. B. 11, Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria

Wood is a free gift of nature used for engineering, construction and in agricultural purposes.
However, it has shortcomings when in contact with moisture, sunlight and organisms, which
limits longevity in its applications. Chemical modification by acetylation and benzoylation of wood
cellulose using vinegar and benzoic acid as modifying agents was carried out in heterogeneous
phase. The extent of modification was calculated as weight percent gains. Burial in a termite hill
for four months was done in order to investigate its biological resistance to termites as trial
organisms. Acetylation or benzoylation of the wood cellulose carried out for 1 h yielded WPGs
values in the range of 18-31 % (acetylation) and 11-25 % (benzoylation), while 3 h gave 15-25 %
(acetylation) and 16-22 % (benzoylation). The following absorption peaks were indication of
acetylation or benzoylation reactions: 3343-3375, 1715-1737, 1689-1658, 1621-1614, 1594-1593 and
1309-1377 cm-1 are due to –OH, C=O, C=C, and –CH3 as revealed by FT-IR results. The SEM images
of the treated samples revealed a clear structural transformation of the native wood as a result of
the chemical treatments. The modified wood cellulose was resistant to termite degradation,
indicating that longevity can be achieved by the modifying agents.

Keywords: Wood cellulose, Acetylation, Benzoylation, Biodegradation, Termites

INTRODUCTION

Wood has been used as a construction material since
ancient times mostly without modification Roger, (2006).
Nowadays, impregnation appears to be the most common
wood preservation technique. It involves application of
suitable impregnating agents as coatings or vanishes on
the surface of a wood. Wood is treated with preservatives
to increase longevity as it is protected from deterioration
caused by insects, and marine wood-boring animals
Tacioglu et al. (2012), Pia, (2013). Wood preservatives
can be divided into two general classes: the type
(creosote) and the water-bone salts for example
chromated copper arsenate (CCA) and alkaline copper
quaternary ammonium ACQ Pia, (2013) and natural
bioactive compounds from termites or insects’ resistance
varieties Tacioglu et al. (2012). According to Pia, (2013),
chemical coatings on wood surfaces can only prevent
moisture sorption by the wood cell wall polymers over a
limited period of time and the prevention get lost as time
extends. However, wood modification as an alternative to
toxic chemical wood preservatives, gives a longer
protection through a non-toxic mode of action Sande et al.
(2003), Roger, (2006), Pia, (2013). Chemical modification
can alter the wood constituents physically and/or the wood
structure can be chemically altered to offer durable wood
products Sande et al. (2003), Roger, (2006), Pia, (2013).
The three major components (cellulose, lignin, and
hemicelluloses) that make up the cell wall are responsible
for most of the physical and chemical properties of wood
and wood products Roger, (1983), Varshney and Sanjay,
(2011). It can be possible to change the chemical and
properties of wood cell wall polymers through chemical
reactions. These are usually carried out to improve the
biological resistance, dimensional stability, and weathering
performance of woods Sande et al. (2003) Roger, (2006).
*Corresponding Author: Azeh Yakubu, Department of
Chemistry, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, P. M.
B. 11, Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria. Email:
azehy@ibbu.edu.ng. Co-Author Email:
2
yohanpaiks234@yahoo.com, 3gimbaalfred@yahoo.com

Chemical Modification of Wood Using Vinegar and Benzoic Acid against Termites Degradation
Azeh et al. 055
Most of the researches conducted in the area of chemical
modification involved the use of a mixture of acetic acid
and acetic anhydride Sereshti and Mohammadi-
Rovshandeh, (2002), which has limited applications
because of its negative effects on the final product and its
ban in some countries being a useful starting material for
the production of morphine and its derivatives. Delignified
and unbleached beech woods have been modified using
benzyl chloride and acetic anhydride Sereshti and
Mohammadi-Rovshandeh, (2002). The researchers found
the chemically modified woods to be soluble in some
organic solvents such as chloroform and have lower
hydrophilicity and water absorbency relative to native
wood. FT-IR spectra have been used to study the structure
of chlorite bleached eucalyptus wood Popescu et al.
(2007). They found that the structure of the bleached wood
was modified due to the removal and/or transformation of
the wood components. There was also the increase in the
crystallinity data calculated due to chlorite bleaching. This
study was aimed at acetylation and benzoylation of wood
cellulose using vinegar and benzoic acid, determination of
the extent of modification based on weight percent gains,
FT-IR characterization of important functionalities and
biological resistance of the modified wood cellulose
against termites as trial organisms.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Reagents and Chemicals
The reagents and chemicals used in the experiment were
of analytical grade and used as received. These chemicals
included benzoic acid, ethanol, potassium hydroxide,
acetic acid, hexane and sulphuric acid, all of which were
obtained from BDH Laboratory (Poole, England).
Commercial vinegar and hypochlorite were purchased
from a local market.
Selection of Wood Samples
Beech wood (Gmelina arborea), counter wood (Afzelia
africana), shea butter wood (Vitellaria paradoxa), African
rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus), Madubiya (Andira
enermis) and Ankpa (Afzelia africana) were selected to
obtain cellulose.
These species can be commonly grown in the guinea
savanna part of Nigeria and are commonly used for
decking, furniture and for the construction of roofing rafters
in their native state. These wood species were collected
from a local sawmill located in Lapai, Nigeria.
Sample Preparation
Each sample of the solid wood collected was sawn into a
2 x 2 x 2 cm by dimension and oven-dried at 105 oC for 3h.
Removal of the Wood Extractives
Ten grams (10 g) of wood (solid wood) were extracted
using a mixture of hexane-ethanol (2:1) for 3 h Azeh et al.
(2013).
Chemical Modification of Wood Using Vinegar and Benzoic Acid against Termites Degradation
Sample Mercerization
Two grams (2 g) of oven-dried extracted solid wood tablet
were mercerized using 17 % KOH (20 mL) and were
heated for 1 h on a hot plate. The sample was washed with
distilled water until the wash water was neutral. This
procedure was repeated for each wood tablet Azeh et al.
(2013). After this, the sample was then oven-dried at 105
°C for 3 h which was followed by the addition of
hypochlorite solution (100 mL) to the extracted wood in a
500 mL beaker. This was followed by the drop-wise
addition of 10 mL of acetic acid and heating for 3 h. The
procedure was repeated six times to remove the lignin and
residual extractives Kumar et al. (2013)
CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF WOOD CELLULOSE
Benzoylation of Wood Cellulose
Benzoylation of the wood cellulose was carried out using
benzoic acid (2.3 g) dissolved in 17 % KOH (20 mL).
Ethanol (40 mL) alongside pyridine (5 mL) that was used
as a catalyst was added to the benzoic acid solution.
To this mixture, the mercerized wood (1 g) was introduced
and the mixture was heated for 1 to 3 h Sereshti and
Mohammadi, (2002). After modification, the product was
washed with distilled water until the wash water was
neutral, and then oven-dried at 105 oC for 3 h until constant
weight. The extent of benzoylation was calculated as the
weight percent gain (WPG) based on the differences in the
oven-dried weight of the samples before and after
modification using equation (1) Azeh et al. (2013):
𝑊2 − 𝑊1
𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐺𝑎𝑖𝑛 (%) = 𝑥 100 % Equation (1)
𝑊1
Where W1 is the initial weight (g) of the wood before
modification and W2 is the final weight (g) of the wood after
modification.
Acetylation of the Wood Cellulose
Acetylation of the four wood species was done using the
method described by Azeh et al. (2013). The wood species
were acetylated using commercial vinegar (100 mL), which
was heated for 1 to 3 h. The modified products were then
washed with distilled water until a neutral pH was obtained,
and the WPGs were calculated using equation Equation
(1) above.
Burial Experiment
In the burial experiment, a termite nest was opened, where
treated and untreated wood samples were placed inside
the opened vent and allowed to stay for a period of four
months during the rainy season. After four months, the
termites nest was opened, and the samples were collected
and examined by visual changes. This was done in order
to investigate the biological resistance to termite attacks.
 Int. J. For. Wood Sci. 056

SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY FT-IR of the Acetylated Wood Cellulose (Tablets)

The surface morphology of the samples was analyzed with There were strong absorption bands of hydroxyl stretching
scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using a vibration of the acetylated wood samples at 3928, 3888,
PhenomWorld ProX desktop scanning electron 3756, 3699, 3591, 3343 and 3180 cm -1 (Table 3). These
microscope (Eindhoven, Netherlands) with a fully were reflected separately in the acetylated wood tablet and
integrated and specifically designed energy-dispersive attributed to –OH stretching vibration similar to the reports
detector. The modified wood tablets were crushed and by Adebajo and Frost, (2004); Azeh et al. (2013). The –OH
coated with gold using an ion sputter coater and were absorption bands in the untreated samples were located at
observed under an electron microscope at NARICT 3897, 3799, 3673, 3585, 3390 and 3176 cm -1 (Table 2).
Ahmadu Bello University (Zaria, Nigeria). The scanning
electron machine was operated at 15 kV. Table 2: Bands Assignment for the Untreated Samples
Band
FT-IR Spectroscopy Wave
Assignment
Sample Number References
(Functional
The structural changes for both the unmodified and (cm-1)
Group)
modified wood samples were recorded at Ahmadu Bello
-OH bond Azeh et al.
University using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) 3878 – 3500
spectroscopy. The samples were run as KBr pellet disks stretching vibration (2013)
on a Cary 630 by Agilent Technologies, Fourier transform -OH intramolecular
Popescu et
infrared spectrophotometer (USA) in the range 500 to 3390 – 3176 hydrogen bonds in
al. (2007)
4000 cm-1. cellulose
C-H methyl and Azeh et al.
2923 – 2724
methylene groups (2013)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION C=O stretching in
1747 – 1703 conjugated Popescu et
Weight Percent Gains (WPGs) ketones al. (2007)
C=C in aromatic
The WPGs of each sample modified was quantitatively Azeh et al.
Rosewood 1694 – 1651 ring of syringyl in
determined using Equation 1 and the results are shown in (2013)
Untreated lignin
Table 1.
-OH absorbed Azeh et al.
1645 – 1614
Table 1: WPGs by the modified samples based on time water (2013)
and the method used for modification C=C aromatic
Azeh et al.
Sample Method Time (h) WPG (%) 1538 – 1505 skeletal absorption
(2013)
Shea butter Acetylation 1 31 caused by lignin
Gmelina Acetylation 1 18 C-H asymmetric Popescu et
1494 – 1455
Shea butter Benzoylation 1 25 stretching in OCH3 al. (2007)
Gmelina Benzoylation 1 15 Francesca et
1377 C-H bending
Rosewood Benzoylation 1 25 al. (2012)
Ankpa Benzoylation 1 11 Francesca et
1311 – 1033 C-H deformation
Ankpa Acetylation 3 25 al. (2012)
Rosewood Acetylation 3 15
Ankpa Benzoylation 3 22 The observed decrease in the –OH group of the acetylated
Rosewood Benzoylation 3 16 wood cellulose samples showed that the hydroxyl group
contents in the wood were reduced because of acetylation.
Table 1 shows the WPGs results after acetylation and This decrease in the –OH groups of the acetylated wood
benzoylation. The 1 h reaction time for the modification of samples was an evidence of acetylation Sassi et al.
the wood tablets showed favorable results for acetylation (2000); Adebajo and Frost, (2004). It was also observed
and benzoylation, as the treatments resulted in 31 % and that the –OH peak for the intramolecular hydrogen bonds
25 % WPGs, for the Shea butter wood tablets respectively. in the acetylated samples decreased from 3390 cm -1 to
Benzoylation of the African rosewood for 1 and 3 h resulted 3350 cm-1 and 3343 cm-1, which indicated that some of the
in 25 % and 16 % WPGs respectively. Low WPGs of the –OH groups were blocked by the modifying reagent. The
acetyl and benzoyl groups may have been caused by the presence of –OH absorption in the acetylated wood
removal of the attached acetyl and benzoyl groups as a samples was attributed to hydroxyl functionalities that are
consequence of deacetylation or de-benzoylation due to not accessible to the modifying reagent (Hill, 2002). The
equilibrium attainment as a result of extended reaction absorption at 2923 cm -1 and 2853 cm -1 in both the
time being esterification reactions. Generally, weight gains untreated and acetylated wood samples was because of
because of modification reflect the success of the reaction asymmetric and symmetric stretches of methyl and
and successful replacement of the accessible –OH group methylene groups in the wood. This band also decreased
in a wood biopolymer. to 2671 cm-1 in the acetylated wood samples, which is an

Chemical Modification of Wood Using Vinegar and Benzoic Acid against Termites Degradation
Azeh et al. 057

Table 3: Bands Assignment for the Acetylated Samples

Sample Wave Number (cm-1) Band Assignment (Functional Group) References
3888 – 3570 -OH bond stretching Azeh et al. (2013)
3343 – 3180 -OH intramolecular hydrogen bond in cellulose Popescu et al. (2007)
2923 – 2724 C-H methyl and methylene groups Azeh et al. (2013)
2671 Guaiacyl ring breathing Popescu et al. (2007)
C-O linkage in guaiacyl aromatic methoxyl group
1736 – 1702 Popescu et al. (2007)
Acetylated stretching in conjugated ketones
Ankpa 1688 – 1658 C=O stretching Lani et al. (2014)
1594 C=C stretching of aromatic ring Nasar et al. (2010)
1377 C-H bending Francseca et al. (2012)
1114 C-O-C stretching vibration Mohebby (2005)
β-glycosidic linkages between the sugar unit in cellulose
893 Azeh et al. (2011)
and hemicelluloses
3928 – 3571 -OH bonded stretching vibration Azeh et al. (2013)
3350 – 3175 -OH intramolecular hydrogen bonds in cellulose Popescu et al. (2007)
2965 – 2724 C-H methyl and methylene groups Azeh et al. (2013)
Guaiacyl ring breathing C-O linkage in guaiacyl aromatic
2671 Popescu et al. (2007)
methoxyl group stretch in conjugated ketones
1737 C=O stretching Popescu et al. (2007)
1658 – 1651 C=O vibration Lani et al. (2014)
Madubiya
1644 C=C stretching of aromatic ring Salisu et al. (2013)
1593 C-H bending vibration Nasar et al. (2010)
1377 C-O-C vibration in cellulose and hemicelluloses Francseca et al. (2012)
1155 C-O-O aromatic skeletal stretching Mohebby (2005)
1144 -OCH3 stretching Mohebby (2005)
Adapa et al. (2009); Azeh
973 C=O out-of-plane bending
et al. (2011)

indication for acetylation by the ─C─O linkage in the
guaiacyl aromatic methoxy group Popescu et al. (2007).
The absence of absorption at 1840 cm -1 to 1750 cm-1 in
the vinegar-acetylated wood samples revealed that the
acetylated products were free of unreacted vinegar Azeh
et al. (2013). However, there was a slight increase in the
intensity of the –OH stretching band of the acetylated wood
samples at 3928 cm -1 and 3888 cm-1, which indicated a
gradual decrease in the extent of acetylation because of a
longer reaction time. Since the acetylation of cellulose is a
reversible process like any other esterification reaction,
deacetylation may begin to occur under appropriate
reaction conditions, as reported by Klemm et al. (1998).
Therefore, it is possible that deacetylation led to the
reformation of free hydroxyl groups because of the long
reaction time. The presence of bands at 1655, 1644, 1619
band indicating that some level of acetylation was
achieved was observed at 1309 cm -1 and 1307 cm-1. This
is attributed to aliphatic C–H deformation/bending vibration
of –CH3 in the acetyl groups, which is an evidence for the
establishment of ester bonds as a result of acetylation of
cellulose and hemicelluloses in wood.
FT-IR of the Benzoylated Wood Cellulose (Tablets)
The wood tablets were successfully modified in the
aqueous alkaline solution of KOH, as shown by the
reaction below Equation (2).
R-OH + KOH → R-O-K+
O

and 1614 cm-1 in both the treated and untreated wood OH

samples can be attributed to absorbed water and β-
glycosidic linkages (ether –C–O–C–), as reported by Azeh
et al. (2013). However, this absorption band decreased in
the treated wood samples to 1594 cm -1 and 1593 cm-1,
which indicated a replacement of this group with C=C
stretching of the aromatic ring and C=O stretching as
revealed in a study by Adapa et al. (2009) on
spectromicroscopy of agricultural biomass, which was an
evidence of acetylation. The bands at 1667 cm -1 and 1686
cm-1 can be linked to –OH out-of-plane bending or
atmospheric CO2 (deformation vibration) contamination
according to Gunzler and Gremlich, (2002). An important
R-O-K+ + → + KOH (2)
The FT-IR absorption bands of hydroxyl vibration in the
benzoylated wood spectra were at 3888-3570 cm-1 (Table
4) were in agreement with the findings of Marino et al.
(2015) on nanocellulose from citrus waste while the bands
due to –OH vibration in the untreated samples were
observed at 3878-3500 and 3390 cm -1. It was evident from
these absorption bands that the chemical structure of the
benzoylated wood cellulose (solid wood tablets) was
remarkably different from the structure of the native wood.

Chemical Modification of Wood Using Vinegar and Benzoic Acid against Termites Degradation
 Int. J. For. Wood Sci. 058

This was because of the decrease in the intensity of the – peaks due to intermolecular hydrogen bonds in modified
OH absorption caused by benzoylation which was in samples decreased. This is an evidence that some of the
agreement with the work on acetylation of cotton by free and accessible –OH functional groups on the polymer
(Adebajo and Frost, 2004). Furthermore, the presence of chain were blocked by the modifying reagent. The
benzoyls in the wood structure was confirmed by the presence of the absorption band at 1305 cm-1 is attributed
absorption bands at 770 cm-1 and 769 cm-1 as reported by to aliphatic C–H deformation/bending vibration of –CH3 in
Li et al. (2012) on benzylation of pre-swelled bamboo the acetyl groups, which is likely an indication of ester
fibres. After modification, it was observed that the –OH bonds caused by acetylation Popescu et al. (2007).
Table 4: Bands Assignment of the Benzoylated Samples
Sample Band Position (cm-1) Band Assignment (Functional Group) Reference
3901 – 3564 -OH bond stretching vibrations Azeh et al. (2013)
3353 – 3168 -OH intramolecular hydrogen bonds in cellulose Popescu et al. (2007)
2922 – 2724 C-H methyl and methylene groups Azeh et al. (2013)
Guaiacyl ring breathing C-O linkage in guaiacyl
2671 Popescu et al. (2007)
aromatic methoxyl group
Benzoylated 1715 Stretching in conjugated ketones Popescu et al. (2007)
Ankpa 1621 C=O stretching Lani et al. (1997)
1377 C-H bending Francseca et al. (2012)
1305 CH2 wagging in cellulose Popescu et al. (2007)
970 -OCH3 stretching Adapa et al. (2009)
770 C-H stretching from benzoyl group Li et al. (2012)
722 OH out-of-plane bending Li et al. (2012)
3611 – 3507 OH bonded stretching Azeh et al. (2013)
3334 – 3175 OH intramolecular hydrogen bonds in cellulose Popescu et al. (2007)
2922 – 2724 C-H methyl and methylene groups Azeh et al. (2013)
Guaiacyl ring breathing C-O linkage in guaiacyl
2671 Popescu et al. (2007)
aromatic methoxyl group stretch in conjugated ketones
1737 – 1715 C=O stretching vibration Popescu et al. (2007)
1689 – 1659 C=O stretching Azeh et al. (2011)
Benzoylated
1621 – 1614 Aromatic skeletal vibration plus C=O stretching Ilharco et al. (1997)
Rosewood
1593 C-H bending Adapa et al. (2009)
1377 CH2 wagging in cellulose Fransesca et al. (2011)
1306 C-O-C stretching in cellulose Popescu et al. (2007)
1155 C-O vibration mainly from C3-O3 Popescu et al. (2007)
1031 OCH3 stretching Popescu et al. (2007)
Adapa, et al. (2009); Li et
971 Aromatic C-H out-of-plane bending
al. (2012)

Morphological Study of the Benzoylated and
Acetylated Woods
The SEM images of the benzoylated and acetylated wood
tablets are shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The images show
the presence of individual fibre bundles, which appear
detached. The chemical treatments resulted in a loss of
the native structural morphology Gwon et al. (2010). The
modified fibres were defibrillated because of treatment
with hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide. After treatment
with the modifying agents, the fibre surface has swollen
due to replacement of the accessible –OH groups with
larger acetyl or benzoyl groups (Figures 1, 2, and 3). The
results agreed with the findings by Sander et al. (2003) on
analysis of acetylated wood using SEM. The swelling of
wood because of chemical treatment has been reported to
be equal to swelling caused by water Sander et al. (2003).
The modified fibres appeared white because of the
removal of wax, pectin, lignin, and hemicelluloses from the
wood structure by the hypochlorite, NaOH, vinegar, and
benzoic acid. These treatments led to structural changes
of the native wood networks in the treated samples when
compared with the structure of the untreated wood (Figure
4). However, prior to pre-treatments and modification, the
presence of voids was clearly seen and the lumen of the
cell wall was observed to possess some undetached fibre
bundles bound by lignin lignin (Figure 4; Ioelovich, 2008).
The morphology of the isolated cellulose, as seen under
SEM, displayed a web-like structural network, in which the
cellulose fibres were seen as entangled filaments (Figure
4) as shown by the findings of He et al. (2013) on the
analysis of cellulose nanofibres from Bambusa rigida.
Fibre bundles of isolated cellulose were observed with
individual bonds, fibre bundles, and clustering because of
intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonding networks. This
was because of the removal of hemicelluloses and lignin
from the wood Li et al. (2012).

Chemical Modification of Wood Using Vinegar and Benzoic Acid against Termites Degradation
Azeh et al. 059

(a)
(a)

(b)
Fig. 3. SEM images of the acetylated African rosewood
(b)
cellulose (Solid) at magnifications of 330x (a) and 1000x
Fig. 1: SEM images of the benzoylated Ankpa wood
(b)
cellulose (Solid wood) at magnifications of 1000x (a) and
4500x (b)

(a) (a)

(b)
Fig. 2. SEM images of the benzoylated African rosewood (b)
cellulose (Solid wood) at magnifications of 1000x (a) and Fig. 4. SEM images of the unmodified wood cellulose
4500x (b) (Solid wood) at magnifications of 500x (a) and 1000x (b)

Chemical Modification of Wood Using Vinegar and Benzoic Acid against Termites Degradation

Effect of the Termite Hill Burial Experiment
Treated and untreated wood tablets were buried in an
anthill for a period of four months to investigate their
biological degradation by termites. Afterwards, it was
observed that the untreated wood tablets were consumed
by the termites and the treated wood tablets were less
affected (Figure 5). The inability of the termites to consume
the chemically treated wood tablets was a consequence of
the successful replacement of accessible –OH groups in
the wood biopolymers with acetyl or benzoyl groups.
Perhaps the structural transformations made the wood
unrecognizable as a food substrate by the termites or the
transformed wood could not be softened by secretions
from the termites, who were unable to consume the wood
cellulose and let alone cause their biodegradation. The
absence of the hemicelluloses in the wood structure,
because of pretreatments using NaOH and NaOCl
confirmed the transformation of the wood structure similar
to the findings by (Tascioglu et al. (2012) on beech wood
changes in structure due to chlorite treatment, also found
was the difficulty for the termites to feed on the modified
wood samples. The untreated wood tablets were
consumed because of the recognition of cellulose and
other biopolymers as food substrates by the termites. This
process was enhanced by the presence of hemicelluloses
in the wood because of their sugary taste. The acetylated
and benzoylated wood is therefore durable, and can be
used in construction, roofing, decking, furniture, and other
applications because of their ability to survive attacks from
termites and other wood-degrading organisms.
(a)
(b)
Fig. 5. Modified wood tablets (a) and unmodified wood
tablets (b) after four months of burial in a termite hill
Chemical Modification of Wood Using Vinegar and Benzoic Acid against Termites Degradation
Int. J. For. Wood Sci. 060
CONCLUSION
Chemical modification of wood cellulose (Solid wood)
through acetylation and benzoylation using vinegar and
benzoic acid was successful as quantitatively evidenced
by the weight percent gain in acetyls and benzoyl groups.
The FT-IR spectroscopic analyses confirmed the formation
of new functionalities due to modification while
morphological examination using SEM revealed the
structural differences and similarities in the modified and
the native wood samples. The modified wood showed
resistance against termites’ attack during the four months
of field exposure. This implied that the level of modification
was high enough to protect the modified wood from termite
attack.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors wish to acknowledge IBB University IBR
TETfund Research 2017 Intervention for the financial
support, which ensured the success of this research work.
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Accepted 8 January 2019
Citation: Azeh Y, Yohanna BP, Gimba A (2019). Chemical
Modification of Wood Using Vinegar and Benzoic Acid
against Termites Degradation. Int. J. Forestry Wood Sci.
6(1): 054-061.
Copyright: © 2019: Azeh et al. This is an open-access
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