Moroccan Cedar softwood study: Application of FT-Raman spectroscopy

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques at Fez, SMBA University, Fez, Morocco

^a Corresponding author : soumaya.fellak@gmail.com

Abstract

As non-destructive technique, FT-Raman spectroscopy has been used to study the molecular structure and monitor changes in the composition of carbohydrates and lignin components containing wood materials. For this purpose, four samples originated from Moroccan cedar wood were analyzed. Following the FT-Raman spectra, it was found that carbohydrates were identified by the bands at 898, 1098, 1123 and 1456 cm^-1, while lignin matrix was evaluated by the bands at 1657, 1598 and 1267 cm^-1. The decrease of the intensities related to these feature bands reflects the effects of natural degradation phenomenon and shows the evidence of chemical changes and quick deterioration of these contents upon exposure time to natural degradation process. Thus, the FT-Raman tool has the potential to be one of crucial sources to characterize composite materials and to evaluate the chemical changes occurred on their structures under the influence of physico-chemical or biological attacks without causing any damage of the wood surfaces or their supports.