Cellulose Fibrils for Polymer Reinforcement

Abstract

Agglomerated cellulose fibrils embedded in a lignin matrix in the cell wall are a predominant reason for the outstanding specific tensile strength of wood. To convert these mechanical properties to practical use for polymer composites, the fibrils were isolated out of sulphite pulp. Depending on the disintegration method, the fibrils have diameters in the nanometer and lengths in the micrometer range.