Wood pulp extract stronger than carbon fiber or Kevlar

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Three-dimensional ball and stick model of the cellulose polymer

Micrographs of randomly oriented CNCs

The upper figure shows the structure of the cellulose polymer; the middle figure shows a nanofibril containing both crystalline and amorphous cellulose; the lower figure shows the cellulose nanocrystals after the amorphous cellulose is removed by acid hydrolysis

Cross-sectional structure of various types of cellulose nanocrystals showing various crystalline arrangements of the individual cellulose polymer molecules (the rectangular boxes)

Micrographs of cellulose fibers from wood pulp

Cellulose fibers and the smaller structures within them - a) fiber from wood pulp; b) microcrystalline cellulose; c) microfibrils of cellulose; d) nanofibrils of cellulose; e) cellulose nanocrystals from wood pulp; f) CNCs from sea squirts (the only animal source of cellulose microfibrils); and g,h) cellulose nanofibrils from other sources

Structure of a nanofibril of cellulose down to the locations of individual cellulose chains

Micrograph of wood pulp derived CNCs

Underlying structure of the wall of a wood cell, showing the substructure of load-bearing cellulose microfibrils

The figure shows the first stage of acid hydrolysis, which converts microcrystalline cellulose into cellulose nanofibrils

Cellulose structures in trees from logs to molecules

Four cellulose molecules held in a crystalline structure by intermolecular hydrogen bonds (dotted lines) (Image: I. Laghi)

Article Summary

The Forest Products Laboratory of the US Forest Service has opened a US$1.7 million pilot plant for the production of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) from wood by-products materials such as wood chips and sawdust. Prepared properly, CNCs are stronger and stiffer than Kevlar or carbon fibers, so that putting CNC into composite materials results in high strength, low weight products. In addition, the cost of CNCs is less than ten percent of the cost of Kevlar fiber or carbon fiber. These qualities have attracted the interest of the military for use in lightweight armor and ballistic glass (CNCs are transparent), as well as companies in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, consumer products, and medical industries.

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