Sem X-Ray Analysis of Pentachlorophenol in Treated Wood: Research Note

The distribution of pentachlorophenol preservative in cell walls of Douglas-fir pressure treated either by the Cellon2 process, or with pentachlorophenol in light petroleum oil, was studied using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDXA). Results indicate that both preservative treatments caused pentachlorophenol to be deposited throughout the gross structure of the wood and within cell walls as well. Extraction with benzene failed to remove the pentachlorophenol deposited within cell walls, as indicated by SEM-EDXA results, although the preservative had been applied with nonpolar organic carriers