ISSN:
0449-2978
Keywords:
Physics
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Physics
Notes:
Native celluloses of various biological origins, as well as regenerated celluloses were examined by electron microscopy after suitable dispersion. In all cases the specimens were found to be composed of a common filamentary unit which is rectangular in cross section and has the approximate dimensions 35 × 20 Å. It is suggested that these are the basic morphological units of cellulose; they are therefore called protofibrils. For protofibrils of regenerated cellulose it is shown that: (1) the molecular contour length greatly exceeds the protofibril length, (2) the mass of the protofibril corresponds to that of a single molecule, and (3) the protofibril length increases with molecular weight. Additionally, high resolution electron micrographs of native and regenerated protofibrils show an apparent axial texture with a periodicity of about 40 Å. From these observations and the knowledge that the molecular chain axis is aligned parallel to the protofibril axis, a model of the protofibril is deduced. The model consists of a ribbon which is pleated on itself so as to form a planar zigzag structure of rectangular cross section. This supersedes a previously proposed model of circular cross section. The structure is composed of a single folded, chain, arranged so that the short extended segments between the folds are parallel to the protofibril axis. The protofibril is thus regarded as the morphological expression of the cellulose molecule. Microfibrils and protofibrils often exhibit kinks, the angle between the kinked portions being 120°. This phenomenon is satisfactorily explained by the protofibril model and in fact provides good support for it. Finally, various properties of cellulose are considered in relation to the model. By contrast with the earlier crystalline-amorphous concepts of cellulose fine structure, it is suggested that protofibrils are completely crystalline structures, and that the properties of cellulose may be understood by considering processes that occur at the level of the protofibril as a unit.
Additional Material:
21 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pol.1971.160090604
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