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Size effects on the nanomechanical properties of cellulose I nanocrystals

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Abstract

The ultimate properties of a fibrous composite system depend highly on the transverse mechanical properties of the fibers. Here, we report the size dependency of transverse elastic modulus in cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). In addition, the mechanical properties of CNCs prepared from wood and cotton resources were investigated. Nanoindentation in an atomic force microscope (AFM) was used in combination with analytical contact mechanics modeling (Hertz model) and finite element analysis (FEA) to estimate the transverse elastic moduli (Et) of CNCs. FEA modeling estimated the results more accurately than the Hertz model. Based on the AFM-FEA calculations, wood CNCs had higher transverse elastic moduli in comparison to the cotton CNCs. Additionally, Et was shown to increase with a reduction in the CNCs’ diameter. This size-scale effect was related to the Iα/Iβ ratio and crystalline structure of CNCs.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the National Science Foundation for the Grant No. 0820884 from the Division of Materials Research (DMR) and the Grant No. 11000806/1100572 from DMR and Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) divisions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, 49931, USA

    Anahita Pakzad

  2. College of Forestry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA

    Johni Smonsen

  3. Department of Chemistry, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, 49931, USA

    Patricia A. Heiden

  4. Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, 49931, USA

    Reza S. Yassar

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  1. Anahita Pakzad
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  2. Johni Smonsen
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Correspondence to Reza S. Yassar.

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This author was an editor of this focus issue during the review and decision stage. For the JMR policy on review and publication of manuscripts authored by editors, please refer to http://www.mrs.org/jmr-editor-manuscripts/

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Pakzad, A., Smonsen, J., Heiden, P.A. et al. Size effects on the nanomechanical properties of cellulose I nanocrystals. Journal of Materials Research 27, 528–536 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2011.288

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