Projects per year
Abstract
Abstract: Wood and other cellulosic materials are highly sensitive to changes in moisture content, which affects their use in most applications. We investigated the effects of moisture changes on the nanoscale structure of wood using X-ray and neutron scattering, complemented by dynamic vapor sorption. The studied set of samples included tension wood and normal hardwood as well as representatives of two softwood species. Their nanostructure was characterized in wet state before and after the first drying as well as at relative humidities between 15 and 90%. Small-angle neutron scattering revealed changes on the microfibril level during the first drying of wood samples, and the structure was not fully recovered by immersing the samples back in liquid water. Small and wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements from wood samples at various humidity conditions showed moisture-dependent changes in the packing distance and the inner structure of the microfibrils, which were correlated with the actual moisture content of the samples at each condition. In particular, the results implied that the degree of crystalline order in the cellulose microfibrils was higher in the presence of water than in the absence of it. The moisture-related changes observed in the wood nanostructure depended on the type of wood and were discussed in relation to the current knowledge on the plant cell wall structure. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 71-87 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Cellulose |
Volume | 27 |
Early online date | 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2020 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- Humidity
- Small-angle scattering
- Sorption
- Structural characterization
- Wood
- X-ray scattering
Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Moisture-related changes in the nanostructure of woods studied with X-ray and neutron scattering'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Projects
- 3 Active
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Understanding the moisture behaviour of wood in nanoscale
01/09/2018 → 31/08/2021
Project: Academy of Finland: Other research funding
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CERES: Competence Center for the materials Bioeconomy: A Flagship for our Sustainable Future
01/05/2018 → 30/04/2022
Project: Academy of Finland: Other research funding
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Wood modification using pressurized hot water
Rautkari, L., Jansson, E., Altgen, M., Kyyrö, S., Belt, T., Awais, M. & Vergara Lourencon, T.
01/09/2017 → 31/08/2021
Project: Academy of Finland: Other research funding
Equipment
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Bioeconomy Research Infrastructure
Jukka Seppälä (Manager)
School of Chemical EngineeringFacility/equipment: Facility