The number of chains in a single microfibril is highly related to the biosynthetic machinery, and has been discussed for long time based on limited experimental data. X-ray or neutron scattering/diffraction experiments are relatively simple and reproducible. The data are directly reflecting the spatial organization inside the specimen but the interpretation can be controversial. Mathematical representation gives the diffraction peak-width inversely proportional to the number of diffracting planes, and this property has been used to estimate the lower bound of the crystallite size considering that the planes corresponds to the plane going through the center of molecule. Lower bound since disorder can also contribute to the broadening. Under this consideration, an 18-chain model would be too thin except if extensive co-crystallization exists. However, we are going to demonstrate that the diffraction and scattering data are compatible with the 18-chain microfibrils that are not touching each other, if we take the matrix component into account. Indeed the amorphous matrix surrounding the microfibrils is also contributing to the diffraction since the periodic electron density fluctuation is the physical origin of the diffraction. The compatibility of small angle X-ray scattering features with the 18-chains microfibril will be also discussed.

Can an 18-chain cellulose microfibril explain the scattering/diffraction data?

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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