FT-Raman Investigations of Forest Products

Abstract

FT-Raman spectroscopy has been used to analyze several forest product materials. Spectra of balsa, oak, pine, and redwood have been obtained. These data can be used to differentiate between hard and soft woods by examination of the ratio of the intensities of those bands attributable to cellulose and lignin as well as by the presence (or absence) of a band near the 1269-cm−1 Raman shift that can be assigned to rosin. Analysis of coatings on paper via FT-Raman methods has also been accomplished. Results from measurements of red ink deposited upon filter paper and from a commercial paper sample are presented. The significance of these findings will be discussed.