title: Surface modification of cellulose fibers: towards wood composites by biomimetics.
abstract: A biomimetic approach was taken for studying the adsorption of a model copolymer (pullulan abietate, DS 0.027), representing the lignin-carbohydrate complex, to a model surface for cellulose fibers (Langmuir-Blodgett thin films of regenerated cellulose). Adsorption results were assayed using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Rapid, spontaneous, and desorption-resistant surface modification resulted. This effort is viewed as a critical first step towards the permanent surface modification of cellulose fibers with a layer of molecules amenable to either enzymatic crosslinking for improved wood composites or thermoplastic consolidation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA. sgradwel@vt.edu
authors.forename: Sheila E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gradwell
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Renneckar
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Esker
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heinze
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gatenholm
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vaca-Garcia
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Glasser
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers; D013499:Surface Properties; D014934:Wood
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D002482:Cellulose; D008031:Lignin