Cellulose nanowhiskers morphology

Rosa, M., Medeiros, E., Malmonge, J., Gregorski, K., Wood, D., and Mattoso, L. (2010). Cellulose nanowhiskers from coconut husk fibers Effect of preparation conditions on their thermal and morphological behavior, Qarboh Qf f]x., 81,83-92. 

M.F. Rosa, E.S. Medeiros, J.A. Malmonge, K.S. Gregorski, D.F. Wood, L.H.C.Mattoso, G.Glenn, W.J. Orts, and S.H. Ima, Cellulose nanowhiskers from coconut huskfibers Effect of preparation conditions on their thermal and morphological behavior. Carbohydr. Polym. 8, 83-92 (2010). 

A Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) observation was performed using a Philips CM30 to study the morphology of cellulose nanowhiskers. One droplet of 1% suspension was put on a Cu-Grid covered with a thin carbon film. To enhance contrast in TEM, the nano-saized whiskers were negatively stained in a 2 wt% solution of uranyl acetate (a heavy metal salt) in de-ionized water for one min. 

Gotfin AL, Raquez JM, Duquesne E, Siqueira G, Habibi Y, Dufresne A, Dubois P. Poly (e-caprolactone) based nanocomposites reinforced by surface-grafted cellulose nanowhiskers via extrusion processing morphology, rheology and thermo-mechanical properties. Polymer 2011 52 1532-1538. 

Sanchez-Garcia MD, Hilhou L, Lagaron JM (2010b) Morphology and water barrier properties of nanobiocomposites of x/i-hybrid carrageenan and cellulose nanowhiskers. J Agri Food Chem 58(24) 12847-12857... 

CNWs are nano-sized natural polymer with particular characteristics and properties including high crystallinity, chemical reactivity, high surface area, and aspect ratio, as well as high mechanical modulus. A variety of characterization methods have been used to evaluate morphologies, physical and chemical structures, thermal behavior, and mechanical properties of cellulose nanowhiskers. 

Fahma F, Iwamoto S, Hori N, Iwata T, Takemura A (2011) Effect of pre-acid-hydrolysis treatment on morphology and properties of cellulose nanowhiskers from eoneonut husk. Cellulose 18 443-450... 

The interest on natural-based materials for reinforcement of polymer matrices has been increased in recent years. In this section, we focus the attention on the reinforcement effect of cellulose, starch or chitin fillers on the thermal properties of PU-based materials. These nanofillers can be obtained from natural and renewable sources and can be processed in several ways presenting different morphologies, such as nanowhiskers, nanofibers, or nanoparticles. In particular, cellulose can be processed by hydrolysis reaction of different cellulose sources in order to obtain cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) [72]. In Figure 7.3, the CNC structure is shown. The CNC present a diameter of about 19 nm. [72]. 

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