Analysis of crystallinity changes in cellulose II polymers using carbohydrate-binding modules

► Carbohydrate-binding modules recognize crystalline and amorphous cellulose. ► Crystallinity changes in cellulose II quantified using carbohydrate-binding modules. ► Supramolecular structure, morphology, and 'skin-core' model examined. ► Quantification of crystallinity changes comparable with ATR-FTIR methods.