Interactions of quaternary ammonium salts with wood : influence of cation and anion structure on fixation and leaching

The chemical structure of the ammonium ion has a strong influence on the quantity of ammonium salt retained by the wood. The amount retained increases with the lipophilicity of the product, although other factors are also involved. Water leaching of the adsorbed chemical increases with increased adsorption. The least adsorbed product initially is thus the most resistant to leaching. The nature of the anion plays a lesser role in the adsorption of the chemicals. The quantity of product extracted during leaching is very low in the case of treatment with low initial solution concentrations.