Radial crystalline texture in a lyocell fibre revealed by synchrotron nanofocus wide-angle X-ray scattering

Within-fibre variability of the degree of preferred orientation of cellulose crystals and crystallinity was studied in lyocell. Wide-angle X-ray scattering experiments were performed with whole single fibres and thin axial fibre sections at the synchrotron nanofocus beamline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Experimental evidence demonstrates that skin–core differences in the degree of preferred orientation of crystals in lyocell are more pronounced than experiments with whole single fibres are capable of revealing. Similar differences in crystallinity are detected in thin sections whereas they remain obscured in whole single fibres due to averaging. Finally, substantial evidence for a radial crystal texture in lyocell is provided.