Fundamental mechanisms behind the hornification of fibres from higher plants (1085-2023)
This project hence aims at investigating three possible molecular explanations to the
hornification results as collected by using different cellulose mode systems. These consist of the determination of:
- The possible influence of the contact area between differently oriented
cellulose nanofibrils in filaments on the degree of hornification to be compared with non-oriented regenerated cellulose in CBs. By increasing the alignment in the filaments, we will increase the contact zone between the fibrils and by removing the water this might create a higher hornification at higher degrees of orientation of fibrillar assemblies. - The possible influence of water on the hornification process will also be
evaluated by solvent exchange of the filaments and the beads, as prepared in part-project 1, before the hornification treatments at increasing storage times and temperatures. - A possible relationship between the degree of molecular transfer across the interface between two cellulose surfaces and the increase in adhesion between surfaces upon heating the surfaces at different times and temperatures. This will be quantified by using fluorescent labelling of fibrils and regenerated cellulose molecules in CBs and the quantification of molecular transfer by using fluorescent microscopy and contact zone analysis by using
AFM and SEM.
Lars Wågberg, KTH
