AFM ultrastructural studies of chemical softwood tracheids and secondary fines generated by various refining treatments

摘要

An Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was utilised to investigate the surface ultra-structural changes resulting from the mechanical treatment of chemical softwood tracheids. This instrument also allowed both morphological study and quantitative determination of the dimensions of fines particles generated by various standard and non-standard laboratory beaters. A population of fibrillar fines material was identified and characterised, with width dimensions beyond the effective resolving capability of the conventional scanning electron microscope.