Elastic moduli of cellulose nanofibers isolated from various cellulose resources by using aqueous counter collision

An atomic force microscopy (AFM) three-points bending (TPB) test is very useful to measure the mechanical properties of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs). This study investigates the Young’s moduli of various CNFs by using AFM TPB test. CNFs were isolated from hardwood, softwood, bamboo and cotton by using an aqueous counter collision (ACC) method. Single CNF was transferred to the AFM calibration chip by using contact transfer for the AFM TPB test and the CNF was considered as a clamped-clamped beam. An Euler equation was used to calculate Young’s modulus under linear deformation assumption. The cross section of single CNF is assumed to be circular shape. Young’s moduli of hardwood, softwood, bamboo and cotton CNFs isolated by ACC method are in the range of 88–110 GPa, which are comparable with the previously reported values.