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Comparative properties of cellulose nano-crystals from native and mercerized cotton fibers

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Abstract

Stable aqueous suspensions of cellulose nano-crystals (CNCs) were fabricated from both native and mercerized cotton fibers by sulfuric acid hydrolysis, followed by high-pressure homogenization. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and wide-angle X-ray diffraction data showed that the fibers had been transformed from cellulose I (native) to cellulose II (mercerized) crystal structure, and these polymorphs were retained in the nanocrystals, giving CNC-I and CNC-II. Transmission electron microscopy showed rod-like crystal morphology for both types of crystals under the given processing conditions with CNC-II having similar width but reduced length. Freeze-dried agglomerates of CNC-II had a much higher bulk density than that of CNC-I. Thermo-gravimetric analysis showed that CNC-II had better thermal stability. The storage moduli of CNC-II suspensions at all temperatures were substantially larger than those of CNC-I suspensions at the same concentration level. CNC-II suspensions and gels were more stable in response to temperature increases. Films of CNC and Poly(ethylene oxide) were tested. Both CNC-I/PEO and CNC-II/PEO composites showed increased tensile strength and elongation at break compared to pure PEO. However, composites with CNC-II had higher strength and elongation than composites with CNC-I.

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Acknowledgments

We are thankful for the financial support from the USDA CSREES (Award No: 2008-38814-04771) and from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Award No: 31070505 and 31010103905). We also thank Dr. Vince Edwards of the USDA ARS Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans, LA for providing the fabric material.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Yiying Yue, Chengjun Zhou, Guan Xia & Qinglin Wu

  2. USDA ARS, 1100 Robert Lee Blvd., New Orleans, LA, 70124, USA

    Alfred D. French

  3. Material Science and Engineering College, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Rd, Harbin, 150040, China

    Guangping Han & Qingwen Wang

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  1. Yiying Yue
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  2. Chengjun Zhou
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  4. Guan Xia
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  6. Qingwen Wang
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  7. Qinglin Wu
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Correspondence to Qinglin Wu.

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Yue, Y., Zhou, C., French, A.D. et al. Comparative properties of cellulose nano-crystals from native and mercerized cotton fibers. Cellulose 19, 1173–1187 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-012-9714-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-012-9714-4

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