Dimensions and structure of wood and primary cell wall cellulose microfibrils

CELL 156

Anwesha N Fernandes, a.fernandes@chem.gla.ac.uk1, Michael C Jarvis, mikej@chem.gla.ac.uk1, Adriana Sturcova, sturcova@imc.cas.cz1, David C Apperley2, Craig J Kennedy, Craig.Kennedy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk3, Andrew Parkin1, Timothy J. Wess4, and Clemens Altaner, c.altaner@chem.gla.ac.uk1. (1) WestChem, Department of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, United Kingdom, (2) Department of Chemistry, Solid-State NMR Service, South Road, DH1 3LE Durham, United Kingdom, (3) Structural biophysics group, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Cf103NB, United Kingdom, (4) Structural Biophysics Research Group, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Cardiff, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Cellulose was isolated from a variety of higher plant cells. The diameter of the microfibrils was estimated by three separate techniques. (1) 13C CP-MAS NMR measurements of the surface to interior chains. (2) Estimation of the dimensions of the crystalline lattice from wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) measurements and (3) Small angle xray scattering (SAXS)patterns which can be attributed to (a) the form (Bessel) function dependent onthe diameter and shape of the microfibrils and (b) the interference function whichdepends on the regularity that might be present in the spacing of the microfibrils.FTIR polarised microscopy in deuterated conditions was also used to characterise the hydrogen bonds which attach one microfibril to the next within an microfibril aggregate. The results were not consistent with the well-known 36-chain model. Models from wood and primary wall cellulose were similar in diameter but different in structure.
 

Structure and Properties of Cellulosic Polymers, Assemblies, and Nanocomposites
1:00 PM-4:45 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. R07, Oral

Division of Cellulose & Renewable Materials

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008