Exploring the rearrangement of amorphous cellulose model thin films upon heat treatment

• DOI: 10.1039/c2sm25911g
• Publication Date: 2012-08-09T15:00:22Z
• Authors: Tamilselvan Mohan; Stefan Spirk; Rupert Kargl; Aleš Doliška; Alenka Vesel; Ingo Salzmann; Roland Resel; Volker Ribitsch; Karin Stana-Klein...
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; info:eu-repo/classification/ddc/530; 0210 nano-technology

The behavior of amorphous cellulose model thin films upon heat treatment is investigated. Upon heat treatment, a structural rearrangement in the films from a featureless to a fibrillar structure is observed which correlates with the regeneration time and total cellulose content as proven by atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. ATR-IR spectroscopy proves the presence of stronger hydrogen bonds in the heat treated surfaces which originate from a reorganization of the cellulose chains and pore structure. The rearrangement is accompanied with an increased surface hydrophobicity, a reduced swelling capacity and a reduction in the water content of the films. An increase in crystallinity of the films is not observed.