Cellulose nanofibers have good elastic modulus properties and can be used as nano-reinforcements in polymer composites. Native cellulose nanofibers from wood, tunicate, and bacteria (Acetobacter xylium) were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) to determine surface topography, aspect-ratio, and modulus. AFM imaging shows that cellulose nanofibers obtained through acid hydrolysis are rigid rods, while nanofibers obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis and TEMPO-oxidation are flexible ribbons. In all of these cases, the nanofibers have a wide size distribution (length 100 nm to 2000 nm). We are currently developing a method for aspect-ratio fractionation. These aspect-ratio fractionated nanofibers can be added to a polymer and toughening capabilities measured.

Characterizing and fractionating native cellulose nanofibers

244th National Meeting (2012)

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