We used thin films of cellulose to investigate their interactions with cellulase enzymes and resulting hydrolysis. The films were prepared from different cellulose sources (including microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose nanocrystals, microfibrillar cellulose and TMSC) which were deposited on piezoelectric resonators by using the spin coating and Langmuir-Blodgett techniques. The thicknesses of the obtained films were in the 8 to 30 nm range, depending on the method used in their preparation. Cellulase binding and hydrolysis rates were monitored in-situ and real time using Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation.

The various substrates consisted of native and regenerated cellulose (with combinations of amorphous and crystalline domains) and therefore the role of cellulose crystallinity was studied as it affected enzyme binding and hydrolysis behaviors. AFM imaging was used as complementary technique to elucidate the morphological changes of the film before and after incubation.