Combining confocal Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy to study wood extractives on cellulose surfaces

Precipitated wood extractives were detected on cellulose fibres using a combined atomic force microscope (AFM) and confocal Raman microscope. With this combination of techniques, morphological and chemical information were obtained from the same sample location. For the first time unambiguous proof of the chemical structures of different morphological regions in the AFM phase contrast image was obtained.