Particle size distributions for cellulose nanocrystals measured by atomic force microscopy: an interlaboratory comparison

Abstract

Particle size measurements of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are challenging due to their broad size distribution, irregular shape and propensity to agglomerate. Particle size is one of the key parameters that must be measured for quality control purposes and to differentiate materials with different properties. We report the results of an interlaboratory comparison (ILC) which examined atomic force microscopy (AFM) data acquisition and data analysis protocols. Samples of CNCs deposited on poly-Llysine coated mica were prepared in the pilot laboratory and sent to 10 participating laboratories including academic, government and industrial organizations with varying levels of experience with imaging CNCs. The participant data sets indicated that the central

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