Microstructure of cellulose: NMR relaxation study

Abstract

The models of structural organization of cellulose are reviewed within the framework of the semi-crystalline concept. Special attention is given to two crystalline modifications of cellulose: Iα and Iβ. The results of low-resolution 1H NMR studies of the supramolecular structure of cellulose are considered. The mathematical model describing the line shape of the solid-state NMR spectrum of cellulose is presented. A scheme for the structure of cellulose microfibrils that fits most of the known model concepts is proposed. It is shown that this scheme can be used to determine the major supramolecular parameters of this polymer.