Changes of micro-structure and micro-mechanical properties of wood cell walls due to cellulose purification treatment

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Abstract

Cellulose purification plays a crucial role in wood processing and cellulose application fields. However, the changes in micro-structure and micro-mechanical properties during cellulose purification remain poorly understood. In this study, wood cellulose was purified using acidic sodium chlorite and potassium hydroxide. Infrared spectroscopy analysis showed a significant increase in the relative content of cellulose inside the cell wall. Moreover, the absorption peaks characterizing the orientation of cellulose molecules also changed, indicating the rearrangement of fibers within the cell wall during cellulose purification treatment. The microfibril angle (MFA) analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed an overall increase in MFA and crystallinity of Chinese fir and poplar woods. The crystallinity change pattern in Chinese fir wood was characterized by an initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease. Subtle alterations in microfibril alignment within the S2 layer were observed compared to untreated wood. Nanomechanical analysis using nanoindentation showed a slight decrease in hardness and elastic modulus after delignification for 5 h. With subsequent purification treatment, the increased permeability of resin due to the damage of cell structure led to a lower degree of change in the hardness and elastic modulus of the cell wall.

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