Figure 3.

Morphological and mechanical properties of RS, DRS, ODRS_1.6CA, and ODRS_3CA

(A–F) SEM micrographs (scale bar: 50 μm) of (A) RS, (B) DRS, and (C) ODRS_3CA, elemental mapping of silica (Si) in (D) RS (E) DRS, and (F) ODRS_3CA, along with EDX spectrograph (Figure S1).

(G) Water droplet showing hydrophobic characteristics of silica microspheres present on DRS surface preventing its adsorption on cellulose

(H) Schematic representation of the distribution of silica microparticles on DRS.

(I) Tensile strength of RS and DRS.

(J) Tensile strength of ODRS, ODRS_1.6CA, and ODRS_3CA.

(K) Flexural strength of RS and DRS.

(L) Flexural strength of ODRS, ODRS_1.6CA, and ODRS_3CA.

(M) Tensile modulus of RS, DRS, ODRS, ODRS_3CA, and ODRS_1.6CA.

(N) Flexural modulus of RS, DRS, ODRS, ODRS_3CA, and ODRS_1.6CA, also see Video S1.

(O) Specific tensile strength.

(P) Specific flexural strength of RS, DRS, ODRS, ODRS_3CA, and ODRS_1.6CA.