Chemical Changes of Wood Treated with Caffeine

Earlier studies have revealed that wood treated with caffeine was effectively protected against decay fungi and molds. However, there is a need to establish how the caffeine molecule behaves after wood impregnation and how it can protect wood. The objective of the research was to characterize the interaction between caffeine and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood as well as to assess the stability of the alkaloid molecule in lignocellulosic material. For this purpose, an elementary analyzer was used to assess the nitrogen concentration in the treated wood. The results showed that caffeine is easily removed from the wood structure through large amounts of water. The changes occurring in the wood structure after impregnation were evaluated with regard to the results obtained by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of two model mixtures with caffeine and cellulose or lignin for the purpose of conducting a comparison with the spectrum of impregnated and non-impregnated samples. The observed changes in FTIR spectra involve the intensity of the C=O(6) caffeine carbonyl group and signals from guaiacyl units. It might indicate favorable interactions between caffeine and lignin. Additionally, molecular simulation of the caffeine’s interaction with the guaiacyl β-O-4 lignin model compound characteristic for the lignin structure using computational studies was performed. Consequently, all analyses confirmed that caffeine may interact with the methylene group derived from the aromatic rings of the guaiacyl group of lignin. In summary, scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations suggest that caffeine was accumulated in the lignin-rich areas of the primary walls.