Evaluation of Energy Crop Hybrid Poplar for Non-energy Application

Poplar trees are widely planted in subtropical and temperate regions and one of the most widespread hardwood species in North America. In general, the woody biomass currently available is not able to meet the dramatically... [ view full abstract ]

Poplar trees are widely planted in subtropical and temperate regions and one of the most widespread hardwood species in North America. In general, the woody biomass currently available is not able to meet the dramatically increasing demand. Poplar trees, including their hybrids, have been considered as an alternative woody source and a means to meet the increasing demand for wood products due to their characteristics of fast growth and ease of reproduction. Hybrid poplars are important components of current energy portfolios because they produce significant amount of biomass. Furthermore, as a natural and renewable material, poplar wood has multiple purposes and can be used for pulp and paper, furniture, wood-based composites, construction and even nano materials. As an energy crop, the survival, growth rate, disease resistance, chemical composition of poplar and its hybrids are well studied. Impact of hybrid poplar on biomass conversion is also studied. On the other hand, little work has been carried out on the properties of poplar wood and influence on nano fiber separation, which remain to be assessed for non-energy application. In this presentation, we will first report the growth rate of Populus deltoides and two of its hybrids, to observe their wood anatomy, to determine the micromechanical properties of cell walls, and then to compare the differences of growth traits and wood properties of the cell walls among the three poplar clones in their early developmental stage. Then we will report relationship between species and energy consumption during the production of cellulose nanofibers. This study compared energy consumption of hybrid poplar with switchgrass, yellow poplar, and pine under the same cellulose nanofiber manufacturing process.