Using NMR and SEM, to study the behaviour of pitch

Pitch, an agglomerated complex material formed by lipophilic wood extractives continues to be a challenging problem for paper makers. Various techniques have been used to contribute to the understanding of its chemical nature and behaviour under given conditions. This article discusses how Diffusion Ordered Spectroscopy (DOSY) and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) can contribute to the existing understanding of pitch behaviour.