Electron‐microscopic investigation of cerium–cotton cellulose reactions

Cotton fibers were treated with an aqueous solution of ceric ammonium nitrate and examined with the electron microscope. The greatest deposition of cerium occurred in the primary wall due largely to the reaction with noncellulosic constituents in this area of the fiber. The use of ceric ions for an electron‐microscopic stain was found ineffective for producing the desired contrast in the cotton fiber.