Impact of Two-Dimensional Particle Size Distribution on Estimation of Water Vapor Diffusivity in Micrometric Size Cellulose Particles

Abstract

This work aims at assessing the impact of two-dimensional particle size distribution (2D-PSD) on the identification of water vapor diffusivity in micrometric size cellulose particles displaying a size aspect ratio lower than 2 and a cylindrical shape. First, different methodologies to obtain the two-dimensional (2D) particle size distribution (diameter versus length) were compared, based on image analysis. Then, experimental sorption kinetics were obtained by using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) coupled with a water vapor adsorption system. Diffusivity values were estimated when considering either the 2D-PSD or global descriptors, such as the mean or median diameter and length of particles. Results revealed that the use of an analytical approach when considering the 2D mean-PSD or the median-PSD was the most accurate way to get diffusivity values at the scale of particles in a polydisperse sample of cellulose particles. Following this approach, a water vapor apparent diffusivity of 3.1 × 10−12 ± 2.3 × 10−12 m2·s−1 was found for the considered cellulose sample. Neglecting PSD in diffusivity estimation led to an underestimation of a factor of 2. This procedure could be extended for all the polydisperse samples in order to have an accurate estimation of water vapor diffusivity at the scale of single particles.

Mitigating the Impact of Cellulose Particles on the Performance of Biopolyester-Based Composites by Gas-Phase Esterification

“…Cellulose particles were characterized by a true density of 1.59 g·cm −3 , a cellulose content of 99.5%, and a median apparent diameter (d 50 ) of 18 µm. In a previous study dealing with exactly the same grade of cellulose [ 43 ], particles were assimilated to cylinders with the length and diameter corresponding to the major and the minor axis, respectively. These two shape descriptors were determined in volume, and the median values were respectively 32 ± 2 µm and 19 ± 1 µm.…”

Cascading (3D) reconstruction procedure of composite structures from microtomography data

“…Theoretically, these tiny particles may be fragments of cellulose which, due to their large number, generate a large volume of interphase. However, no such particles were visible in 2D images of cellulose particles as observed and described in [6] .…”

Water Content of Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films Measured by Quartz Crystal Microbalance and Deuterium Oxide Exchange

“…For example, ionomer water content affects ion conductivity and, thus, the efficiency of these materials in proton exchange membrane fuel cells [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Likewise, the hydration level of thin films from natural materials, such as cellulose or lipid bilayers, is important for mimicking the mechanical properties of biological systems [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Measuring water uptake is also important for characterizing polymers used as protective coatings or for promoting flocculation [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”