Differences in hydrogen bonding patterns result in two allomorphs in native cellulose (Ia and I�). In turn, Ia and I� have distinct crystallographic structures and are composed of one chain triclinic and two chain monoclinic unit cells, respectively. The objective of this study is to quantify the transverse mechanical properties of cellulose I nanocrystals (CNCs) prepared from tunicate and cotton using acid hydrolysis. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was performed under peak force mode on individual CNCs. The transverse elastic modulus (ET) was also calculated by comparing the experimental AFM indentation results with 3-dimensional FEA analysis of CNC indentations. We observed that tunicate and cotton CNCs have different nanomechanical (ET and adhesion) properties, which are dictated by the localization of Ia and I� and Ia/I� ratio along their chains, and the single crystal morphology (aspect ratio and diameter).

Mechanical properties of cellulose I nanocrystals obtained from tunicate and cotton resources

241st National Meeting (2011)

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