A Small-Angle X-ray Scattering Study of the Effect of Hydration on the Microstructure of Flax Fibers

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Abstract
Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments with in situ dehydration have been performed on small bundles of flax fibers. Analysis indicated that the structure of the cellulose microfibrils is consistent with a cross section of approximately 10 × 50 Å2. The microfibril misalignment was Gaussian with a full width at half-maximum of 11−15°, dependent on hydration level. A meridional peak at q = 0.095 Å-1 was observed, possibly for the first time in cellulose I fibers, and this has been attributed to a crystalline/noncrystalline repeat repeat distance of 60−70 Å. It has also been noted that there is considerable change in structure as flax fibers dry from the wet state.