Atomic Force Microscope Images of Black Spruce Wood Sections and Pulp Fibres

Abstract

The surfaces of pulp fibres and of microtomed sections of black spruce (Picea mariana) wood were examined with an atomic force microscope (AFM) under ambient conditions. The images of the section surfaces clearly show features of the underlying cell wall structure. An apparent lamellation, with periodicity of 30-200 nm is observed in cross-sections of the S2 layer. AFM images of unbeaten and beaten unbleached kraft pulp fibre surfaces indicate the orientation of the component microfibrils; flbrillar material attached to the surface of beaten fibres is readily observed. Preliminary AFM images of fibre fragments under water were also generated.

Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Cellulose Fibril Reinforced Nanocomposites

“…Some investigations used AFM for the characterisation of pulp fibres. [28,29] Even though some limitations of AFM are mentioned in these studies, the authors demonstrated the usefulness of this method.…”

Cellulosic nanocomposites. II. Studies by atomic force microscopy

“…Gray et al used AFM to study the local surface variations in pulp, such as the orientation of microfibrils and the aspect of fibrillation by beating 18 -20 and such parameters as lamellation for wood. 19 Baker et al studied the surface topography of Valonia cellulose I microcrystals under propanol and water and obtained images that revealed clear structural details consistent with the 0.54-nm repeat unit (glucose) along the cellulose chains. An intermolecular spacing of about 0.6 nm was also described.…”

Analysis of the topochemical effects of dielectric-barrier discharge on cellulosic fibers

“…Atomic force microscopy AFM has become highly valued for evaluating wood, fiber, and paper surfaces (Hanley and Gray 1994;Bo¨ras and Gatenholm 1999;Hanley and Gray 1999;Wistara et al 1999;Niemi et al 2002).…”