Modifications of lignocellulosic fibers by Ar plasma treatments in comparison with biological treatments

Cold Ar plasma treatments can be used to modify the structure of lignocellulosic fibers for a variety of applications. In order to better understand the effects of such treatments, the type and amount of radicals formed on lignocellulosic fibers obtained from chemical pulp and chemothermomechanical pulp were evaluated by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and the chemical modifications induced on the same fibers by plasma treatment were assessed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C-NMR) spectroscopy and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) analysis. The obtained results were compared with those obtained after enzymatic treatments of lignocellulosic fibers reported in literature.