Extraction of Cellulose Nanocrystals (NCC) from Cotton Waste and Morphology of NCC Obtained with Different Alkali Neutralization
Fabrizio Scognamiglio
School of Sciences and Technologies, Università di Camerino, Chemistry Division, via Sant’Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
Carlo Santulli
School of Architecture and Design, Università di Camerino, Viale della Rimembranza 9, 63100 Ascoli Piceno, Italy.
Graziella Roselli
School of Sciences and Technologies, Università di Camerino, Chemistry Division, via Sant’Agostino 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The extraction of cellulose nanocrystals (NCC) from cotton textile waste, constituted by 70% long fibers and 30% cotton linter, was performed through the action of sulfuric acid followed by solution neutralization with two different alkalis, namely ammonia and sodium bicarbonate, which yielded microcellulose (MCC), then centrifuged to NCC. The action of the two alkalis was compared as for fiber repeatability and morphology, and the results obtained using ammonia were considered more suitable for possible introduction of NCC for the repair of historical paper artifacts. This evidence was obtained by applying optical/polarized light microscopy observation and dynamic light scattering (DLS) results.
Keywords: Cotton waste, nanocellulose extraction, alkali neutralization, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)