Effect of Ozonation on Assembly of Xylans

Abstract

Summary In this study the molecular structure of birch xylan was altered by ozonation. Longer ozonation times increased the cleavage of aromatic rings in the lignin residues attached to the xylan molecules, resulting in the formation of muconic acid derivatives and other carboxylic acid structures. Size exclusion chromatography showed a decreasing molar mass of xylan after ozonation. The ozonation improved xylan solubility as evidenced by the reduced amounts of aggregates in aqueous solution. Atomic force microscopy showed increases in the sizes of the aggregates. Furthermore, the ozonation resulted in a decreased ability of xylan to assemble into particle-like structures on cellulose surfaces. We therefore believe that there is a relationship between xylan aggregation in aqueous solution and the formation of xylan surface structures on cellulose.