Abstract
The characterization of the process of separating cellulose fibers from wood by using L-lactic acid was investigated. Sugi (Cryptmeria Japonica) were cooked with L-lactic acid at 200°C for 1hr to be separated as pulp-like fibers and liquefied wood components. The pulp-like fibers were analyzed with molecular weight, SEM, X-Ray diffractions, IR, and 13C NMR. Molecular weight was about 1.1×106-1.5×106. The crystals of the pulp-like fibers were type I and the crystallinity was 23-25%. The pulp-like fibers were esterified with L-lactic acid. It was concluded that the cooking the wood with L-lactic acid was a significant separation system, taht the delignification occurred by acid hydrolysis and decomposition, and that esterified cellulose derivatives were produced from wood material.
