Wood and Silk: Hierarchically Structured Biomaterials Investigated In Situ With X-Ray and Neutron Scattering

Abstract

Synchrotron radiation X-ray and neutron scattering techniques are very useful tools for the non-destructive analysis of the structure of biopolymer materials such as wood and silk, making the in situ investigation of structural changes upon mechanical stress possible. The low-divergence synchrotron radiation X-rays can be focused down to sub-micrometer size, enabling scanning studies of the wood nanostructure with (sub-)microscopic position resolution. This article highlights very recent advances in the understanding of silk and wood micro- and nanostructure, which were only possible using synchrotron radiation and neutrons. Examples include the local breakdown of cellulose fibre texture in wood cell walls, the deformation mechanism of a single wood cell, the viscoelastic properties of silk and insight into molecular mechanisms in silk upon mechanical deformation.