Wood xylan and modified xylan - Solubilization, film formation and water interactions

Doctoral thesis, 2022

Wood xylans are biopolymers that are valuable for future materials and renewable engineering solutions. In this study, xylan solubility in polar solvents and film formation were investigated. Most wood xylans are poorly soluble in polar solvents, such as water, and this can be a critical hindrance for facilitating new uses of xylan, especially in solution-based processes. Modification via oxidation using sodium periodate was selected as a potential prospect to improve xylan solubility. The influence of modification, such as the degree of oxidation, was investigated using solutions and thin films. Surface-sensitive analytics were used to quantify the properties of modified xylan as films and film additives, with a focus on their interaction with water. Furthermore, a correlation between film morphology and material solubility of modified xylan and unmodified xylan in blend systems was observed using atomic force microscopy. The findings expand the possibility of utilizing wood xylan in solution-based processes.