THE MICRODISTRIBUTION OF ALKYLAMMONIUM COMPOUNDS IN PONDEROSA PINE SAPWOOD

The distribution of an alkylammonium compound, iodobenzalkonium chloride, in ponderosa pine sapwood was studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with an Energy Dispersive X-ray Analyser (SEM-EDX). Maximum adsorption of the iodobenzalkonium chloride was obtained using a solution concentration of: 5% for ray cells, 6% for latewood and 10% for earlywood tracheids. Tracheid cell wall distribution of iodobenzalkonium chloride showed an accumulation of iodine in the compound middle lamella, at solution concentrations of 6% and higher. In general, higher chemical retentions were obtained by buffering the treating solution to alkaline conditions, compared with the unbuffered, or acidic buffered, solutions. Middle lamella adsorption was also enhanced by the use of alkaline treating solutions at 3%.