Chemical modifications of wood fibers (Lignocel (R) C120) were performed for biocomposite applications, and chemically modified wood fibers were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. NaOH treatment showed band shifts from Cell-I to Cell-II in FTIR spectra from 2902 cm(-1), 1425 cm-1, 1163 cm(-1), 983 cm(-1), and 897 cm(-1) to 2894 cm(-1), 1420 cm(-1), 1161 cm(-1), 993 cm(-1), and 895 cm(-1) and the change in peak height at 1111 cm(-1) and 1059 cm(-1) assigned for Cell-I structure. Si lane treatment showed peak changes at 1200 cm(-1) assigned as Si-O- C band, at 765 cm(-1) assigned as Si-C symmetric stretching bond, at 700 cm(-1) assigned as Si-O-Si symmetric stretching, and at 465 cm(-1) assigned as Si-O-C asymmetric bending. Benzoyl treatment resulted in an increase in the carbonyl stretching absorption at 1723 cm(-1) and in band characteristics of aromatic rings (1604 cm(-1) and 710 cm(-1)) and a strong absorption at 1272 cm(-1) for C-O band in aromatic ring. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 116: 3212-3219, 2010