Crystallization of cellulose microfibrils in wood cell wall by repeated dry-and-wet treatment, using X-ray diffraction technique

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of repeated moisture change on the crystallinity and crystal size of cellulose microfibrils (CMF) in sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D.Don) and karamatsu (Larix kaempferi Gord.) wood cell wall. Based on obtained results, we discussed the qualitative change in the fine structure of CMF caused by repeated dry-and-wet (RDW) treatments. Green quarter-sawn specimens (5 x 16 x 15 mm in thickness x length x width) and microcrystalline cellulose powder (Avicel) were prepared, and these specimens were subjected to 7 times at most of heated or unheated RDW treatments. After giving RDW treatments, specimens were seasoned to the fiber saturated point and absolutely dried. Wide angle X-ray diffraction measurements were adopted to determine the crystallinity and the crystal size in each condition. Results indicate that crystallinity and crystal size in wood specimens gradually increased with the progress of heated or unheated RDW treatments, while no such increases were observed in Avicel powder. Those results suggest that RDW treatments promote the crystallization of CMF in wood cell wall, regardless of heating. We presume that noncrystalline cellulose forms hydrogen bonding with the cellulose at the surface of crystalline region with the progress of RDW treatments, thus enlarging the crystal size. Avicel powder did not show features that were observed in wood specimens by RDW treatments, because it contained few noncrystalline cellulose.