Wood and new cellulosic materials have been a characterization challenge from the perspective of classical polymer science, especially for NMR spectroscopists. Indeed, the reluctance of cellulose to dissolve in the most common solvents and, more importantly, the general heterogeneity of natural and man-made materials renders conventional liquid NMR experiments largely ineffective. Even with poor sensitivity and resolution, solid-state NMR is therefore necessary and, in combination with scattering and direct imaging techniques, can provide important information about the ultrastructure and processing of cellulosic materials.  Molecular modeling can also provide additional information to illustrate the structural details of sometimes complex structures. Moreover, new developments of the technique, precisely in terms of sensitivity (dynamic nuclear polarization) or resolution (2D NMR), have allowed recent advances in the understanding of these materials. In this talk, we will present aspects of routine and advanced experiments in the investigation of structure at the molecular and ultrastructural level, i.e. at small scales. Examples from the heterogeneous chemical modification of cellulosic materials and aerogels, but also from some natural and/or biomimetic materials will be presented to illustrate the point.

Solid state NMR as a tool for investigating structure of new cellulosic materials at small scale

ACS Spring 2022

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