Cotton linters were partially hydrolyzed in dilute acid and the morphology of remaining macrofibrils studied with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) under various magnifications. The crystal region (microfibril bundles) in the macrofibrils was not altered by hydrolysis, and only amorphous cellulose was hydrolyzed and leached out from the macrofibrils. The diameter of microfibril bundles was 20-30 nm after the amorphous cellulose was removed by hydrolysis. XRD experiments confirm the unaltered diameter of the microfibrils after hydrolysis. The strong stability of these microfibril bundles in hydrolysis limits both the total sugar monomer yield and the size of nano particles or rods produced in hydrolysis. The large surface potential on the remaining microfibril bundles drives the agglomeration of macrofibrils.
Revised: October 16, 2008 |
Published: March 21, 2007
Citation
Zhao H., J. Kwak, Z.C. Zhang, H.M. Brown, B.W. Arey, and J.E. Holladay. 2007.Studying Cellulose Fiber Structure by SEM, XRD, NMR and Acid Hydrolysis.Carbohydrate Polymers 68, no. 2:235-241.PNNL-SA-48782.doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2006.12.013