The Effect of Solvents on the Chemical Composition

Solvents are widely used in wood conservation for either dissolving polymers for consolidation purposes or for removing dirt or foreign matter, which was applied during previous conservation. Solvents may cause temporary swelling of the wood, and when they evaporate wood returns back to its original size. They may form complexes with wood components when unlimited swelling arises as a consequence of breaking the adjacent bonds. These complexes have been shown to be stable for long periods of time at elevated temperatures or under high vacuum, while they are not stable with regard to moisture. Wood absorbs organic solvents, which are retained in the wood cells for short periods of time only in normal conditions. During the short presence of solvents inside the wood, wood components are slightly affected, and after evaporation of the solvent the chemical composition of wood may undergo some changes. Using FTIR, the molecular bonds in wood samples that were treated with three different organic solvents were closely studied.