Possible nanotechnology applications in natural fibre based industries
2014
Ishak A.
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are an emerging renewable nanomaterial that holds promise in many different applications, such as in biocomposites, pharmaceuticals, polymer electrolyte, foods, etc. By using CNC, outstanding properties, or significantly improved physical, chemical, as well as electronic properties can be developed. Since the last three years we have been extensively working on CNC from different types of Malaysian resources natural fibres such as kenaf, rice husk, coconut, empty fruit bunch, mengkuang and nata de coco. Aqueous suspensions of such nanocrystals can be prepared by acid hydrolysis of the substrate. The object of this treatment is to dissolve away regions of low lateral order so that the water-insoluble, highly crystalline residue may be converted into a stable suspension by subsequent vigorous mechanical shearing action.A series of glycerol-plasticized starch composites reinforced by cellulose nanocrystals through the solution casting technique and nanocellulose hydrogel formulation with acrylic acid were successfully fabricated. The starch biocomposite films reinforced with nanocrystals showed an improved tensile strengths and moduli. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed that the cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were well distributed in the matrix.
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