Pyridinium-grafted-cellulose nanocrystals were prepared by a simple one-pot reaction using 4-(1-bromoethyl/bromomethyl)benzoic acid, pyridine and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). The grafting consists of an esterification reaction between 4-(1-bromoethyl/bromomethyl)benzoic acid and CNCs and a nucleophilic attack on the C-Br bond of 4-(1-bromoethyl/bromomethyl)benzoic acid by pyridine. This react...

Cellulose nanocrystals obtained from natural sources are of great interest for many applications. In water, cellulose nanocrystals form a liquid crystalline phase whose hierarchical structure is retained in solid films after drying. Although tactoids, one of the most primitive components of liquid crystals, are thought to have a significant role in the evolution of this phase, they have evaded ...

Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on Earth. Cellulose fibers, such as the one extracted form cotton or woodpulp, have been used by humankind for hundreds of years to make textiles and paper. Here we show how, by engineering light-matter interaction, we can optimize light scattering using exclusively cellulose nanocrystals. The produced material is sustainable, biocompatible, and when co...

Replacement of plastics used in the food industry seems to be a serious issue to overcome mainly the environmental problems in recent years. This study investigates the hydrophilicity and permeability properties of starch biopolymer which ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) (0-10%) and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) (1-15%) were used to enhance its properties. Starch -EVOH nanocomposites were prepar...

The aim of this project has been to prepare nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) from hydrochloric acid hydrolysis and optimise the process. CNC was also prepared from sulphuric acid hydrolysis to use as a reference. The starting material in both these processes was microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), therefore another cellulose source was used to try and prepare CNC from. The cellulose was extracted ...