An insight into microscopy and analytical techniques for morphological, structural, chemical, and thermal characterization of cellulose

• Published in: Microscopy research and technique 2022-05, Vol.85 (5), p.1990-2015
• Main Authors: Chakraborty, Ishita, Rongpipi, Sintu, Govindaraju, Indira, B, Rakesh, Mal, Sib Sankar, Gomez, Esther W., Gomez, Enrique D., Kalita, Ranjan Dutta, Nath, Yuthika, Mazumder, Nirmal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atomic force microscopy; Calorimetry; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; Cellulose; Cellulose - chemistry; Chemical composition; crystallinity; Differential scanning calorimetry; electron microscope; Fourier analysis; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; Fourier transforms; Heat measurement; Industrial applications; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Light microscopy; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Microscopes; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Morphology; NMR; NMR spectroscopy; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Optical microscopy; Physicochemical properties; Polymers; Polysaccharides; Raman spectroscopy; Raw materials; Scanning electron microscopy; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Spectrum analysis; Structural analysis; Thermal properties; Thermodynamic properties; Thermogravimetric analysis; Topography; Transmission electron microscopy; X-Ray Diffraction
• ISSN: 1059-910X; 1097-0029
• DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24057

Cellulose obtained from plants is a bio‐polysaccharide and the most abundant organic polymer on earth that has immense household and industrial applications. Hence, the characterization of cellulose is important for determining its appropriate applications. In this article, we review the characterization of cellulose morphology, surface topography using microscopic techniques including optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Other physicochemical characteristics like crystallinity, chemical composition, and thermal properties are studied using techniques including X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. This review may contribute to the development of using cellulose as a low‐cost raw material with anticipated physicochemical properties. Highlights Morphology and surface topography of cellulose structure is characterized using microscopy techniques including optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Analytical techniques used for physicochemical characterization of cellulose include X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Schematics of ultrastructure of cellulose fibers from plant sources.