*2.3. Biomass Composition and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Analysis*

Biomass composition of untreated, Ca(OH)<sup>2</sup> and NaOH pretreated SSB and CC samples were determined according to protocols by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) [22] at the Wood Sciences Faculty at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

To determine the effect of each pretreatment (Ca(OH)<sup>2</sup> and NaOH) on biomass morphology, the dried SSB and CC samples were mounted on scanning electron microscope (SEM) stubs using double sided graphite tape, sputter coated with gold using a Balzers Union sputtering device. The gold coated SSB and CC samples were viewed under a Tescan Vega scanning electron microscope at 20 kV. Digital images were captured using the Vega imaging system.
