Review article

The article presents the study results of the structure and morphology of nanocellulose used as a microadditive to improve the physical and mechanical characteristics of mineral building binders and composites, with the investigation of a material sample having been performed by high-resolution optical microscopy. The investigations were performed in three optical modes, namely, phase contrast, light field, and crossed nicols. The dimensions of the primary structure elements and the aggregation nature of cellulose microfibers have been determined. The sample was also found to contain micro-impurities of a foreign chemical nature.