We report mechanical strength estimates of native cellulose nanofibrils. Native cellulose nanofibrils were fully dispersed in water through a topochemical modification of cellulose nanofibrils using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO) as a catalyst. The strengths of the individualized nanofibrils were then estimated based on a model for sonication-induced fragmentation of filamentous nanostructures. The resulting strength parameters of cellulose nanofibrils are analyzed based on fracture statistics, and those biological nanofibers are found to have mechanical properties comparable to those of commercially available multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

Mechanical strength of single cellulose nanofibrils estimated from sonication-induced fragmentation

245th National Meeting (2013)

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