IR Study on Cellulose with the Varied Moisture Contents: Insight into the Supramolecular Structure

The following article is the first attempt to investigate the supramolecular structure of cellulose with the varied moisture content by the means of Fourier-transform and near infrared spectroscopy techniques. Moreover, authors aimed at the detailed and precise presentation of IR spectra interpretation approach in order to create a reliable guideline for other researchers. On the basis of obtained data, factors indicating biopolymer crystallinity and development of hydrogen interactions were calculated and the peaks representing hydrogen bonding (7500–6000 cm(−1), 3700–3000 cm(−1), and 1750–1550 cm(−1)) were resolved using the Gaussian distribution function. Then, the deconvoluted signals have been assigned to the specific interactions occurring at the supramolecular level and the hydrogen bond length, as well bonding-energy were established. Furthermore, not only was the water molecules adsorption observed, but also the possibility of the 3OH⋯O5 intramolecular hydrogen bond shortening in the wet state was found-from (27,786 ± 2) 10(−5) nm to (27,770 ± 5) 10(−5) nm. Additionally, it was proposed that some deconvoluted signals from the region of 3000–2750 cm(−1) might be assigned to the hydroxyl group-incorporated hydrogen bonding, which is, undoubtedly, a scientific novelty as the peak was not resolved before.