Development of the metrology and imaging of cellulose nanocrystals

Michael T. Postek, National Institute of Standards & Technology
Andras Vladar, National Institute of Standards & Technology
John Dagata, National Institute of Standards & Technology
Natalia Farkas, National Institute of Standards & Technology
Bin Ming, National Institute of Standards & Technology
Ryan Wagner, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
Arvind Raman, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
Robert Moon, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
Ronald Sabo, United States Department of Agriculture; United States Forest Service
Theodore Wegner, United States Department of Agriculture; United States Forest Service
James Beecher, United States Department of Agriculture; United States Forest Service

Date of this Version

2-2011

Citation

Michael T Postek, András Vladár, John Dagata, Natalia Farkas, Bin Ming, Ryan Wagner, Arvind Raman, Robert J Moon, Ronald Sabo, Theodore H Wegner and James Beecher. Measurement Science and Technology, Volume 22, Number 2.

Abstract

The development of metrology for nanoparticles is a significant challenge. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are one group of nanoparticles that have high potential economic value but present substantial challenges to the development of the measurement science. Even the largest trees owe their strength to this newly appreciated class of nanomaterials. Cellulose is the world's most abundant natural, renewable, biodegradable polymer. Cellulose occurs as whisker-like microfibrils that are biosynthesized and deposited in plant material in a continuous fashion. The nanocrystals are isolated by hydrolyzing away the amorphous segments leaving the acid resistant crystalline fragments. Therefore, the basic raw material for new nanomaterial products already abounds in nature and is available to be utilized in an array of future materials. However, commercialization requires the development of efficient manufacturing processes and nanometrology to monitor quality. This paper discusses some of the instrumentation, metrology and standards issues associated with the ramping up for production and use of CNCs.

Discipline(s)

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

 

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