Analysis of lignin distribution in wood and pulp by using EPMA

Part 1. A new lignin staining procedure with osmium tetra oxide vapor

Abstract

A new procedure to analyze lignin distribution in wood and pulp by using EPMA (Electron Probe Micro Analyzer) was studied by treating specimen with osmium tetra oxide in vapor phase, comparing with both bromination and mercurization procedures. It was found that the lignin could be tagged with the osmium by exposing the specimen to osmium tetra oxide vapor for over 24 hours. So, the lignin distribution in the specimen could be observed by detecting the osmium with energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer.
This osmium staining procedure showed fairly good agreements with the bromination and the mercurization procedures and the treatment of osmium tagging was easier than those of bromination and mercurization.