Revisiting the phenomena of cocrystallization and moisture-induced shift in XRDs

Abstract

Of the many observations reported in cellulose literature, the phenomena of “cocrystallization” and “moisture-induced shift in XRD” (XRD-shift) need re-examination. Does cocrystallization really occur or, entirely, something else is going on? Recent research carried out by the authors suggests that upon hydrothermal treatment of wood-cellulose, where cocrystallization has been reported to be occurring, the cellulose becomes partly crystalline from the pre-existing non-crystalline arrangement.^{(1, 2)}. Similarly, although the XRD-shift of wood’s (200) diffraction plane is real, based on the new non-crystalline wood-cellulose model, an alternate explanation is proposed wherein the XRD-shift results from the reorganization of cellulose molecules.

Citation

Agarwal, Umesh P.; Ralph, Sally A.; Reiner, Richard S.; Baez, Carlos. 2023. Revisiting the phenomena of cocrystallization and moisture-induced shift in XRDs. Abstract Poster No. CP1. In: 21st International Symposium on Wood, Fiber and Pulping Chemistry. 4-7 July 2023. Venezia, Italy. Venice, Italy: Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems: 149-152.