Isolation and Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals from Waste Cotton Fibers Using Sulfuric Acid Hydrolysis

Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are one of the most useful materials that have recently been used in various fields. There are many natural resources on earth from which CNC can be extracted in a variety of methods. This study focuses on the extraction of CNCs from waste cotton fibers (WCFs) by sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Physicochemical characterization of the synthesized CNCs was examined by different techniques. The results revealed good performance and properties for synthesized CNCs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis demonstrated the successful synthesis of CNCs by acid hydrolysis without the formation of byproducts or further degradation. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the crystallinity index increased from 79.87 to 88.37% during the conversion of WCFs to CNCs. The rod‐like morphology structure of CNC was confirmed using microscopic techniques. The AFM results for CNCs showed a length and diameter of 170 ± 60 nm and 25 ± 10 nm, respectively. Also, DLS measurements showed high stability of CNCs in aqueous solution. Moreover, due to the presence of 0.74 weight% of sulfur in the CNC backbone, CNCs showed lower thermal stability at 170–348 °C compared to WCFs.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylparaben Using Green Nanosilver Supported on Reduced Graphene Oxide

“…Therefore, researchers are shifting their focus toward the utilization of natural resources for the synthesis of nanoparticles. 30 However, the use of nanoparticles is compromised by a tendency to agglomerate, which leads to the loss of their activity. This detrimental property can be resisted by developing a graphene-based nano silver composite, which also brings additional benefits such as high conductivity, high surface area (2630 m 2 /g), chemical and mechanical stability, improved photoreception, efficient electron transfer, and adsorptive properties that improve the remediation process.…”

“…Green synthesis has many advantages over other approaches due to its cost-effectiveness, non-toxicity, repeatability, environmental friendliness, and rapidity. Therefore, researchers are shifting their focus toward the utilization of natural resources for the synthesis of nanoparticles …”

Synthesis and Characterization of Ternary Composite g-C3N4-MoO3/rGO for Photocatalytic Activity

“…For this purpose, various processes like electrochemical, chemical precipitation, adsorption, photocatalysis, etc, have been used 7,8 . Over the last two decades, many adsorbents such as biopolymers, activated carbon, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, hydrogels, zeolites, and silica have been used extensively to remove dyes due to their porous nature [9][10][11] . Among several techniques, photocatalysis has become prominent due to low cost and using a green route by sunlight.…”