Cellulosic fibrils mechanical disintegration

In contrast to BC, cellulose from wood is composed of fibers that are about one hundred times thicker [17] (Fig. 4a). Because of the complex and expensive cultivation of BC (sophisticated medium and long cultivation time), it is also a challenge to produce nano-fibrillated celluloses from wood. The substructures of wood are only accessible by chemical treatment [16] and mechanical disintegration procedures. 

Recently, various methods have been proposed to obtain nanocellulosic fibrils from cellulosic fibres. Chemical and enzymatic treatments followed by mechanical disintegration, homogenisation, or ultrasound sonication are being used extensively... 

The use of an ultrasonic bath to disintegrate cellulose into fibrils observable in the TEM was described in 1950 [18]. Even earlier papers were referenced, where either mechanical or ultrasonic vibrations were used to provide thin TEM specimens. Morehead [18] cut samples into short lengths and treated them in water in an ultrasonic bath for about 20 min. Hearle and Simmens [19] described the disintegration of fibers using a blender or an ultrasonic disintegrator. 

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