Surface force measurements between cellulose surfaces using scanning probe microscopy

Measurements are presented of forces between two cellulose spheres in both air and aqueous solution. Forces in air are interpreted in terms of a dispersion interaction between two surfaces achieving poor mechanical contact, while the forces in aqueous solution are well described by a double-layer interaction. No evidence for a steric interaction between the surfaces was discovered, in contrast to earlier work on related systems. The technique is proposed as an ideal one for modelling interactions in papermaking and pumping systems.