Study on the Crystal Structure of Cellulose in Bamboo with Synchrotron Radiation Wide Angle X-Ray Scattering

The crystal structure of cellulose will directly affect the properties of bamboo fiber-reinforced composite, but the unit cell of native cellulose in bamboo has never been investigated. The most accepted model for the structure of native cellulose is Meyer-Misch model which provides a reference to understand the unit cell of native cellulose in bamboo. The native cellulose consists of two different crystal structures (I (alpha) and I (beta)) which exist in different plants with different proportions. Because of this situation, the crystal structure of bamboo cellulose should have a unique model. The moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis (Carr.) H. de Lehaie)was selected. The crystal structure of cellulose of bamboo was investigated with two dimensional synchrotron radiation wide angle X-ray scattering (SR-WAXS). The values of the interplanar spacings of each peak Were obtained from SR-WAXS patterns, and then crystal structure parameters were calculated according to monoclinic crystal system. The results show that the fibre axis of a bamboo cellulose unit cell with a monoclinic unit cell of a=8. 35 angstrom, b (fiber axis)=10. 38 angstrom, c=8. 02 angstrom, beta=84. 99 degrees. This model has a two antiparallel arrangement for the chains in unit cell, with four glucose residues. Thus, the model may be used to provide a theoretical basis for high value-added bamboo fiber-reinforced composite.