Study on the Cuticle of Reed Stem by means of SEM-EDXA, 2008 Engineering, Pulping and Environmental Conference

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The ultra-structure and distribution of the mineral elements of the cuticle of reed stem are studied by means of SEM-EDXA. The results show that, the surface layer of the cuticle of reed stem consists of three structures, i.e. the flake-like structure, the conjunctive tissues between flake-like structures and the granular structure. The outer-surface of the cuticle is composed of three major elements, i.e. C, O & Si. The silicon content is very high in different structures of the outer-surface of the cuticle, up to 50~55%. There are two sorts of longitudinal-sections of the cuticle, one with a stiff structure, the other porosity. The aforesaid flake-like structures are practically the longitudinal tube-form cells with thickened wall. Obviously, these are quite different from the cuticle of stem of bamboo or wheat straw. The marked distinctions of atomic ratio of Si and other mineral elements in different parts of the cuticle of the internodes indicate the evident differences among the silicides and chemical states of elements concerned, and the silicides in outer-surface of the reed stem cuticle are mostly inorganic.