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This paper deals with the results of a study of the thermodestruction of the earlywood and latewood in the 1988-1998 growth rings of Gmelin larch ( Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr.) trees growing along the polar tree line (7052′53″N, 102°58′26″E, Taimyr Peninsula). The study used methods of thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermogravimetric data obtained were analyzed by Ozawa-Flynn-Wall kinetic model. We determined macrokinetic parameters of thermodestruction. Earlywood and latewood showed no significant difference in cellulose/hemicellulose/lignin ratio, whereas they differed significantly in destruction average value of activation energy (197.55 and 55.90 kJ mol, respectively). Our analysis of the correlation of thermodestruction values with mean monthly air temperature and precipitation revealed that component composition of both earlywood and latewood was influenced more by the weather conditions at the beginning of the growing season (April-June). Air temperature had markable influence on the wood component composition during cell wall synthesis only in latewood, whereas precipitation influenced the composition in both latewood and earlywood. TG/DTG and DSC methods were found to be promising for developing information on biochemical composition of early and latewood tracheids in stems and for identifying the extent of the influence of climatic changes on cell wall synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To upgrade the utilization of kraft lignin (KL) for high-performance lignin-based materials (e.g., carbon fiber), the purity, molecular mass distribution (MMD), and thermal properties need to be improved and adjusted to target values. Therefore, different methods, such as ultrasonic extraction (UE), solvent extraction, dialysis, and hot water treatment (HWT), were applied for the purification of KL. The chemical and thermal properties of purified lignin have been characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, gel permeation chromatography, elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The lignin fractions obtained by UE with ethanol/acetone (E/A) mixture (9:1) revealed a very narrow MMD and were nearly free of inorganic compounds and carbohydrates. Further, the E/A-extracted lignin showed a lower glass transition temperature ( Tg) and a clearly detectable melting temperature ( Tm). Dialysis followed by HWT at 220°C is an efficient method for the removal of inorganics and carbohydrates; however, lignin was partly forming condensed structures during the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]