Chemical Physics Letters, Vol.347, No.1-3, 41-45, 2001
Probing the lignin nanomechanical properties and lignin-lignin interactions using the atomic force microscopy
By combining atomic force microscopy (AFM) force and environmental scanning electron microscopies (ESEMs), herein we present an evidence for the existence of strong intermolecular forces, which are responsible for holding lignin globules together in higher ordered structures. Based on this observation, we provide a support for the hypothesis that lignin globules consist of at least two individual spherical layers, with space in between filled with solvent or gas.