2.3.2 Cellulose whiskers
For the TEM images, drops of RH whisker aqueous suspensions were deposited on glow-discharged carbon coated TEM grids and the excess of water was let to evaporate. The specimens were negatively stained with 2% uranyl acetate and observed using a JEOL JEM 1200FxII electron microscope operating at 80 kV. The whisker dimensions were determined with the aid of the Image Tools software.
AFM observations were carried out using a Molecular Imaging Pico Plus microscope operating in air and intermittent contact mode with a Micromash NC36 tip. Drops of dilute aqueous suspensions of RH cellulose whiskers were deposited onto freshly cleaved mica. After 30 min, the excess liquid was removed and the remaining film allowed to dry.