Thomas Elder, PhD
Former Employee
Research Scientist
Treesearch Publications
- Ke Zhan, Courtney Higgins, Mi Li, Mathew F. Smidt, Thomas Elder, Wei Gao, Yucheng Peng. 2026. Valorization of downed timber into wood fibers for polypropylene composites: effects of tree maturity and environmental exposure duration
- Balazs Bencsik, Jessica Davis, Thomas Elder, Yucheng Peng. 2026. Crawfish shell-based biosorbents for rare earth element (Nd(III)) immobilization in aqueous solution
- Ruiqi Li, Tara L. Keyser, Thomas Elder, Qiangu Yan, Zhiyong Cai, Yucheng Peng. 2026. Lead ion removal from aqueous solutions using biochar materials from different wood species
- Ke Zhan, Thomas Elder, Yucheng Peng. 2025. Enhancing Polypropylene/Polyethylene Blend Performance Through Compatibilization for A Sustainable Future: A Mini Review Focusing on Establishing Bio-Derived Filler Based Hybrid Compatibilizer System
- Ke Zhan, Yucheng Peng, Thomas Elder. 2025. Enhancing polypropylene/high-density polyethylene blend performance through the incorporation of microcrystalline cellulose-based core-shell particles at the interface
- Ke Zhan, Pixiang Wang, Xueqi Wang, Xiaomeng Li, Shaoyang Liu, Thomas Elder, Brian Via, Chuanbing Tang, Yucheng Peng. 2025. Morphology-Controlled Rheological and Non-Isothermal Crystallization Behaviors in Immiscible Polypropylene/High Density Polyethylene Blends
- Yucheng Peng, Ruiqi Li, Muhammad Irfan, Shaoyang Liu, Dengjun Wang, Thomas Elder, Qiangu Yan, Zhiyong Cai. 2024. Lead ion adsorption by biochar manufactured from downed timber: the effect of downed timber maturity and environmental exposure period
- Kailong Zhang, William Hutcherson, Neal D. Evans, Thomas Elder, Charles M. Garner, Mi Li. 2024. In situ synthesis of metal-organic frameworks on sulfonated cellulose nanofibrils
- Xueqi Wang, Pixiang Wang, Shaoyang Liu, Ke Zhan, Brian Via, Tom Gallagher, Mathew F. Smidt, Douglas J. Gardner, Thomas Elder, Yucheng Peng. 2024. Identification of percolation threshold of spray‐dried cellulose nanocrystals in homopolymer polypropylene composites
- Kailong Zhang, Thomas Elder, Zhongyang Cheng, Ke Zhan, Yucheng Peng, Mi Li. 2024. Cellulose nanofiber-templated metal-organic frameworks for fluorescent detection of methyl parathion pesticides
- Ke Zhan, Daniel Meadows, Lindsay Levy, Raymond Hou, Tanmay Rahman, Virginia Davis, Edward Davis, Bryan S. Beckingham, Brian Via, Thomas Elder, Yucheng Peng. 2024. Impact of thermomechanical reprocessing on multilayer plastic packaging blend
- Fika Andriani, Maria Karlsson, Thomas Elder, Martin Lawoko. 2024. Lignin Carboxymethylation: Probing Fundamental Insights into Structure–Reactivity Relationships
- Yucheng Peng, Dikshya Pokhrel, Xueqi Wang, Thomas Elder, Nicole M. Stark, Brian Via, Tom Gallagher, Mathew F. Smidt, Dana Mitchell. 2023. Wood fiber production from downed timber for manufacturing wood polymer composite: fiber property characterization
- Xueqi Wang, Pixiang Wang, Shaoyang Liu, Justin Crouse, Douglas J. Gardner, Brian Via, Tom Gallagher, Thomas Elder, Yucheng Peng. 2023. Material properties of spray‐dried cellulose nanocrystal reinforced homopolymer polypropylene composites
- Hoon Kim, Jorge Rencoret, Thomas Elder, Jose C. del Rio, John Ralph. 2023. Biomimetic oxidative copolymerization of hydroxystilbenes and monolignols
- Rithany Kheam, Kailong Zhang, Thomas Elder, Nathan Bryant, Arthur Ragauskas, Mi Li. 2023. Totally chlorine-free peracetic acid pulping for nanocellulose isolation from hemp and poplar
- John Hinkle, Archana Bansode, Nima Alizadeh, Amulya Poudyal, John Thornhill, Anthony Bass, Xinyu Zhang, Andrew J. Adamczyk, Thomas Elder, Maria L. Auad. 2023. Nickel hydroxide growth on renewable activated carbon microfibers for the development of supercapacitors
- Ievgen V Pylypchuk, Maria Karlsson, Pär A. Lindén, Mikael E. Lindström, Thomas Elder, Olena Sevastyanova, Martin Lawoko. 2023. Molecular understanding of the morphology and properties of lignin nanoparticles: unravelling the potential for tailored applications
- Maria Karlsson, Joakim Romson, Thomas Elder, Åsa Emmer, Martin Lawoko. 2023. Lignin structure and reactivity in the organosolv process studied by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and density functional theory
- Tanzina Azad, Maria L. Auad, Thomas Elder, Andrew J. Adamczyk. 2023. Toward native hardwood lignin pyrolysis: Insights into reaction energetics from density functional theory
- Ajinkya More, Thomas Elder, Nicolò Pajer, Dimitris S. Argyropoulos, Zhihua Jiang. 2023. Novel and integrated process for the valorization of kraft lignin to produce lignin-containing vitrimers
- Hoon Kim, Jorge Rencoret, Thomas Elder, José C. del Río, John Ralph. 2023. Biomimetic oxidative copolymerization of hydroxystilbenes and monolignols
- Aparna Annamraju, Kalavathy Rajan, Xiaobing Zuo, Brian K. Long, Sai Venkatesh Pingali, Thomas Elder, Nicole Labbé. 2023. Atomic Level Interactions and Suprastructural Configuration of Plant Cell Wall Polymers in Dialkylimidazolium Ionic Liquids
- Ross W. Houston, Thomas Elder, Nourredine H. Abdoulmoumine. 2022. Investigation into the Pyrolysis Bond Dissociation Enthalpies (BDEs) of a Model Lignin Oligomer Using Density Functional Theory (DFT)
- Thomas Elder, José C. del Río, John Ralph, Jorge Rencoret, Hoon Kim. 2022. Density functional theory study on the coupling and reactions of diferuloylputrescine as a lignin monomer
- Tanzina Azad, Hazl F. Torres, Maria L. Auad, Thomas Elder, Andrew J. Adamczyk. 2021. Isolating key reaction energetics and thermodynamic properties during hardwood model lignin pyrolysis
- Daisuke Ando, Fachuang Lu, Hoon Kim, Alexis Eugene, Yuki Tobimatsu, Ruben Vanholme, Thomas Elder, Wout Boerjan, John Ralph. 2021. Incorporation of catechyl monomers into lignins: lignification from the non-phenolic end via Diels-Alder cycloaddition?
- Dana Mitchell, Mathew F. Smidt, Tim McDonald, Thomas Elder. 2021. Issue and opportunities for salvaging storm damaged wood
- Ajinkya More, Thomas Elder, Zhihua Jiang. 2021. Towards a new understanding of the retro-aldol reaction for oxidative conversion of lignin to aromatic aldehydes and acids
- Archana Bansode, Mehul Barde, Osei Asafu-Adjaye, Vivek Patil, John Hinkle, Brian K. Via, Sushil Adhikari, Andrew J. Adamczyk, Ramsis Farag, Thomas Elder, Nicole Labbé, Maria L. Auad. 2021. Synthesis of biobased novolac phenol–formaldehyde wood adhesives from biorefinery-derived lignocellulosic biomass
- Kalavathy Rajan, Doris H. D’Souza, Keonhee Kim, Joseph Moon Choi, Thomas Elder, Danielle Julie Carrier, Nicole Labbé. 2021. Production and characterization of high value prebiotics from biorefinery-relevant feedstocks
- Ajinkya More, Thomas Elder, Zhihua Jiang. 2021. A review of lignin hydrogen peroxide oxidation chemistry with emphasis on aromatic aldehydes and acids
- Thomas Elder, Jorge Rencoret, José C. del Río, Hoon Kim, John Ralph. 2021. Radical coupling reactions of hydroxystilbene glucosides and coniferyl alcohol: A density functional theory study
- Laura Berstis, Thomas Elder, Richard Dixon, Michael Crowley, Gregg T. Beckham. 2021. Coupling of flavonoid initiation sites with monolignols studied by density functional theory
- Kalavathy Rajan, Thomas Elder, Nourredine Abdoulmoumine, Danielle Julie Carrier, Nicole Labbé. 2020. Understanding the in situ state of lignocellulosic biomass during ionic liquids-based engineering of renewable materials and chemicals
- Maria C. Iglesias, Niloofar Shivyari, Ann Norris, Raquel Martin-Sampedro, M. E. Eugenio, Panu Lahtinen, Maria L. Auad, Thomas Elder, Zhihua Jiang, Charles E. Frazier, Maria S. Peresin. 2020. The effect of residual lignin on the rheological properties of cellulose nanofibril suspensions
- Thomas Elder, José C. del Río, John Ralph, Jorge Rencoret, Hoon Kim, Gregg T. Beckham, Michael F. Crowley. 2020. Coupling and reactions of lignols and new lignin monomers: A density functional theory study
- Tanzina Azad, Jonathan D. Schuler, Maria L. Auad, Thomas Elder, Andrew J. Adamczyk. 2020. Model lignin oligomer pyrolysis: Coupled conformational and thermodynamic analysis of β-O-4′ bond cleavage
- Ernesto C. Zuleta, Gabriel A. Goenaga, Thomas A. Zawodzinski, Thomas Elder, Joseph J. Bozell. 2020. Deactivation of Co-Schiff base catalysts in the oxidation of para -substituted lignin models for the production of benzoquinones
- Connor J. Cooper, Shahrina Alam, Vincent de Paul N. Nziko, Ryne C. Johnston, Alexander S. Ivanov, Zhongyu Mou, David B. Turpin, Alan W. Rudie, Thomas Elder, Joseph J. Bozell, Jerry M. Parks. 2020. Co(salen)-catalyzed oxidation of lignin models to form benzoquinones and benzaldehydes: A computational and experimental study
- José C. del Río, Jorge Rencoret, Ana Gutiérrez, Thomas Elder, Hoon Kim, John Ralph. 2020. Lignin monomers from beyond the canonical monolignol biosynthetic pathway: Another brick in the wall
- Thomas Elder, José Carlos del Río, John Ralph, Jorge Rencoret, Hoon Kim, Gregg T. Beckham. 2019. Radical coupling reactions of piceatannol and monolignols: A density functional theory study
- Rebecca E. Key, Thomas Elder, Joseph J. Bozell. 2019. Steric effects of bulky tethered arylpiperazines on the reactivity of Co-Schiff base oxidation catalysts—a synthetic and computational study
- A. Mandalika, Don C. Bragg, J. Schuler, D. Baker, Thomas Elder, L. Groom. 2019. Potential of natural-origin loblolly pine tree fractions as a bioenergy feedstock
- Pyoungchung Kim, Choo Hamilton, Thomas Elder, Nicole Labbé. 2018. Effect of non-structural organics and inorganics constituents of switchgrass during pyrolysis
- Nele S. Zwirchmayr, Ute Henniges, Markus Bacher, Takashi Hosoya, Heidemarie Reiter, Martin Spitzbart, Thomas Dietz, Klaus Eibinger, Wolfgang Kreiner, Arnulf Kai Mahler, Heribert Winter, Thomas Röder, Antje Potthast, Thomas Elder, Thomas Rosenau. 2018. Degradation of the cellulosic key chromophores 2,5- and 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone by hydrogen peroxide under alkaline conditions. Chromophores in cellulosics, XVII
- Takashi Hosoya, Nele Sophie Zwirchmayr, Karl Michael Klinger, Heidemarie Reiter, Martin Spitzbart, Thomas Dietz, Klaus Eibinger, Wolfgang Kreiner, Arnulf Kai Mahler, Heribert Winter, Thomas Röder, Antje Potthast, Thomas Elder, Thomas Rosenau. 2018. Chromophores in cellulosics, XVIII. Degradation of the cellulosic key chromophore 5,8-dihydroxy-[1,4]-naphthoquinone under conditions of chlorine dioxide pulp bleaching: a combined experimental and theoretical study
- Rui Kathahira, Thomas Elder, Gregg T. Beckham. 2018. A Brief Introduction to Lignin Structure
- Takashi Hosoya, Markus Bacher, Antje Potthast, Thomas Elder, Thomas Rosenau. 2018. Insights into degradation pathways of oxidized anhydroglucose units in cellulose by β-alkoxy-elimination: a combined theoretical and experimental approach
- Nele Sophie Zwirchmayr, Thomas Elder, Markus Bacher, Andreas Hofinger-Horvath, Paul Kosma, Thomas Rosenau. 2017. 2,4,5-trihydroxy-3-methylacetophenone: A cellulosic chromophore as a case study of aromaticity
- Thomas Elder, Laura Berstis, Gregg T. Beckham, Michael F. Crowley. 2017. Density functional theory study of spirodienone stereoisomers in lignin
- Thomas Elder, Laura Berstis, Nele Sophie Zwirchmayr, Gregg T. Beckham, Michael F. Crowley. 2017. The application of computational chemistry to lignin
- Zi Wang, Khiet Mai, Nitin Kumar, Thomas Elder, Leslie H. Groom, James J. Spivey. 2017. Effect of steam during Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis using biomass-derived syngas
- Yang Huang, Shaolong Sun, Chen Huang, Qiang Yong, Thomas Elder, Maobing Tu. 2017. Stimulation and inhibition of enzymatic hydrolysis by organosolv lignins as determined by zeta potential and hydrophobicity
- Liheng Chen, Junyong Zhu, Carlos Baez, Peter Kitin, Thomas Elder. 2016. Highly thermal-stable and functional cellulose nanocrystals and nanofibrils produced using fully recyclable organic acids
- Parthapratim Das, Thomas Elder, William W. Brennessel, Stephen C. Chmely. 2016. Iron piano-stool complexes containing NHC ligands outfitted with pendent arms: synthesis, characterization, and screening for catalytic transfer hydrogenation
- Mei Li, Thomas Elder, Gisela Buschle-Diller. 2016. Alginate-based polysaccharide beads for cationic contaminant sorption from water
- Costyl N. Njiojob, Joseph J. Bozell, Brian K. Long, Thomas Elder, Rebecca E. Key, William T. Hartwig. 2016. Enantioselective syntheses of lignin models: an efficient synthesis of B-O-4 dimers and trimers by using the Evans chiral auxiliary
- Thomas Elder, Laura Berstis, Gregg T. Beckham, Michael F. Crowley. 2016. Coupling and reactions of 5- hydroxyconiferyl alcohol in lignin formation
- Laura Berstis, Thomas Elder, Michael Crowley, Gregg T. Beckham. 2016. Radical nature of C- lignin
- Rui Xie, Maobing Tu, Thomas Elder. 2016. Substituent effect of phenolic aldehyde inhibition on alcoholic fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- Khiet Mai, Thomas Elder, Les Groom, James J. Spivey. 2015. Fe-based Fischer Tropsch Synthesis of biomass-derived syngas: Effect of synthesis method
- Keonhee Kim, Nicole Labbé, Jeffrey Warren, Thomas Elder, Timothy G. Rials. 2015. Chemical and anatomical changes in Liquidambar styraciflua L.xylem after long term exposure to elevated CO2
- Qining Sun, Anurag Mandalika, Thomas Elder, Sandeep S. Nair, Xianzhi Meng, Fang Huang, Art J. Ragauskas. 2014. Nanocomposite film prepared by depositing xylan on cellulose nanowhiskers matrix
- Ivan Simkovic, Ivan Kelnar, Iveta Uhliarikova, Raniero Mdndichi, Anurag Mandalika, Thomas Elder. 2014. Carboxymethylated-, hydroxypropylsulfonated- and quaternized xylan derivative films
- Pratibha Sharma, Thomas Elder, Leslie H. Groom, James J. Spivey. 2014. Effect of structural promoters on Fe-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of biomass derived syngas
- Tobias Köhnke, Thomas Elder, Hans Theliander, Arthur J. Ragauskas. 2014. Ice templated and cross-linked xylan/nanocrystalline cellulose hydrogels
- Thomas Elder. 2014. Bond dissociation enthalpies of a pinoresinol lignin model compound
- Thomas Elder, Ariana Beste. 2014. Density functional theory study of the concerted pyrolysis mechanism for lignin models
- Berenger Biannic, Joseph J. Bozell, Thomas Elder. 2014. Steric effects in the design of Co-Schiff base complexes for the catalytic oxidation of lignin models to para-benzoquinones
- Joseph J. Bozell, Berenger Biannic, Diana Cedeno, Thomas Elder, Omid Hosseinaei, Lukas Delbeck, Jae-Woo Kim, C.J. O'Lenick, Timothy Young. 2014. Integrating separation and conversion - Conversion of biorefinery process streams to biobased chemicals and fuels
- Roland Dute, Lauren Bowen, Sarah Schier, Alexa Vevon, Troy Best, Maria Auad, Thomas Elder, Pauline Bouche, Steven Jansen. 2014. Pit membranes of Ephedra resemble gymnosperms more than angiosperms
- Chi-Leung So, Jennifer Myszewski, Thomas Elder, Les Groom. 2013. Rapid analysis of the microfibril angle of loblolly pine from two test sites using near-infrared analysis
- Rhea J. Sammons, David P. Harper, Nicole Labbe, Joseph J. Bozell, Thomas Elder, Timothy G. Rials. 2013. Characterization of Organosolv Lignins using Thermal and FT-IR Spectroscopic Analysis
- Thomas Elder, Joseph Bozell, Diana Cedeno. 2013. The effect of axial ligand on the oxidation of syringyl alcohol by Co(salen) adducts
- Thomas Elder, Carl J. Houtman. 2013. Time-domain NMR study of the drying of hemicellulose extracted aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.)
- Teresa Cristina Fonseca Silva, Youssef Habibi, Jorge Luiz Colodette, Thomas Elder, Lucian A. Lucia. 2012. A fundamental investigation of the microarchitecture and mechanical properties of tempo-oxidized nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC)-based aerogels
- Rajalaxmi Dash, Thomas Elder, Arthur Ragauskas. 2012. Grafting of model primary amine compounds to cellulose nanowhiskers through periodate oxidation
- Daiqiang Xu, Kristen Voiges, Thomas Elder, Petra Mischnick, Kevin J. Edgar. 2012. Regioselective Synthesis of Cellulose Ester Homopolymers
- Wenjia Han, Chuanshan Zhao, Thomas Elder, Rendang Yang, Dongho Kim, Yunqiao Pu, Jeffery Hsieh, Arthur J. Ragauskas. 2012. Study on the Modification of Bleached Eucalyptus Kraft Pulp Using Birch Xylan
- Angela Lin, Thomas Elder, Tobias Köhnke, Hans Theliander, Arthur J. Ragauskas. 2012. Nanoreinforced xylan–cellulose composite foams by freeze-casting
- Amit Saxena, Marcus Foston, Mohamad Kassaee, Thomas Elder, Arthur J. Ragauskas. 2011. Biopolymer nanocomposite films reinforced with nanocellulose whiskers
- Roland R. Dute, Thomas Elder. 2011. Atomic force microscopy of torus-bearing pit membranes
- Shishir P. S. Chundawat, Bryon S. Donohoe, Leonardo da Costa Sousa, Thomas Elder, Umesh P. Agarwal, Fachuang Lu, John Ralph, Michael E. Himmel, Venkatesh Balan, Bruce E. Dale. 2011. Multi-scale visualization and characterization of lignocellulosic plant cell wall deconstruction during thermochemical pretreatment
- Thomas Elder, Les Groom. 2011. Pilot-scale gasification of woody biomass
- Thomas Elder, John S. Kush, Sharon M. Hermann. 2011. Thermogravimetric analysis of forest understory grasses
- Amit Saxena, Thomas Elder, Arthur J. Ragauskas. 2011. Moisture barrier properties of xylan composite films
- Amit Saxena, Thomas Elder, Jeffrey Kenvin, Arthur J. Ragauskas. 2010. High oxygen nanocomposite barrier films based on xylan and nanocrystalline cellulose
- Dana Mitchell, Thomas Elder. 2010. Torrefaction? What’s that?
- Thomas Elder. 2010. Reactivity of lignin and lignans: Correlation with molecular orbital calculations
- Thomas Elder. 2010. A computational study of pyrolysis reactions of lignin model compounds
- Lisbeth G. Thygesen, Thomas Elder. 2009. Moisture in untreated, acetylated, and furfurylated Norway Spruce monitored during drying below fiber saturation using time domain NMR
- Jan B. Kristensen, G. Thygesen Lisbeth, Claus Felby, Henning Jorgensen, Thomas Elder. 2008. Cell-wall structural changes in wheat straw pretreated for bioethanol production
- Lisabeth G. Thygesen, Thomas Elder. 2008. Moisture in untreated, a cetylated, and furfurylated Norway spruce studied during drying using time domain NMR
- Thomas Elder. 2007. Quantum chemical determination of young?s modulus of lignin. Calculations on ß-O-4' model compound
- Yunqiao Pu, Jianguo Zhang, Thomas Elder, Yulin Deng, Paul Gatenholm, Arthur J. Ragauskas. 2007. Investigation into nanocellulosics versus acacia reinforced acrylic films
- Thomas L. Eberhardt, Thomas Elder, Nicole Labbe. 2007. Analysis of ethanol-soluble extractives in southern pine wood by low-field proton NMR
- Zheng Dang, Thomas Elder, Jeffery S. Hsieh, Arthur J. Ragauskas. 2007. Alkaline peroxide treatment of ECF bleached softwood kraft pulps: part 2. effect of increased fiber charge on refining, wet-end application, and hornification
- Zheng Dang, Thomas Elder, Arthur J. Ragauskas. 2007. Alkaline peroxide treatment of ECF bleached softwood kraft pulps. Part 1. characterizing the effect of alkaline peroxide treatment on carboxyl groups of fibers
- Chi-Leung So, Thomas Elder, Leslie Groom, John S. Kush, Jennifer Myszewski, Todd Shupe. 2006. The application of nirvana to silvicultural studies
- Zheng Dang, Thomas Elder, Arthur J. Ragauskas. 2006. Influence of kraft pulping on carboxylate content of softwood kraft pulps
- Nicole Labbe, David Harper, Timothy Rials, Thomas Elder. 2006. Chemical structure of wood charcoal by infrared spectroscopy and multivariate analysis
- Thomas Elder, Nicole Labbe, David Harper, Timothy Rials. 2006. Time domain-nuclear magnetic resonance study of chars from southern hardwoods
- Lorraine C. Vander Wielen, Thomas Elder, Arthur J. Ragauskas. 2005. Analysis of the topochemical effects of dielectric-barrier discharge on cellulosic fibers
- Stephen S. Kelley, Thomas Elder, Leslie H. Groom. 2005. Changes in the chemical composition and spectroscopy of loblolly pine medium density fiberboard furnish as a function of age and refining pressure
- Jayant B. Gadhe, Ram B. Gupta, Thomas Elder. 2005. Surface modification of lignocellulosic fibers using high-frequency ultrasound
- Leslie Groom, Chi-Leung So, Thomas Elder, Thomas Pesacreta, Tim Rials. 2004. Effect of refining pressure and resin viscosity and resin flow, distribution, and penetration of MDF fibers
- Thomas Rosenau, Thomas Elder, Antje Potthast, Sixta Herbert, Paul Kosma. 2003. The lyocell process: Cellulose solutions in N-Methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) - degradation processes and stabilizers
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Project
https://research.fs.usda.gov/srs/projects/biocharStation -
Center or Group
https://research.fs.usda.gov/srs/centers/usfrStation -
Project
https://research.fs.usda.gov/srs/projects/biochar-forest-thinningStation -
Project
https://research.fs.usda.gov/srs/projects/forest-operationsStation
- Texas A&M University, Ph.D. Forestry, Wood Chemistry, 1979
- Stephen F. Austin State University, M.F. (Master Of Forestry), Wood Science, 1976
- Southern Methodist Un iversity, BS Biology, Biology, 1974
Last updated March 10, 2026