Effect of Reaction Conditions on the Properties and Behavior of Wood Cellulose Nanocrystal Suspensions

• Published in: Biomacromolecules Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 1048 - 1054
• Main Authors: Beck-Candanedo, Stephanie, Roman, Maren, Gray, Derek G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.03.2005
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Applied sciences; Cellulose - chemistry; Cellulose and derivatives; Crystallization; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrolysis; Nanostructures; Natural polymers; Phase Transition; Physicochemistry of polymers; Suspensions; Wood; Phase diagram; Paper pulp; Chemical degradation; Mesomorphic state structure; Particle suspension; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Nematic crystals; Hydrolysis; Particle size distribution; Helix pitch; Size effect; Nanocrystal

Sulfuric acid hydrolysis of native cellulose fibers produces stable suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals. Above a critical concentration, the suspensions spontaneously form an anisotropic chiral nematic liquid crystal phase. We have examined the effect of reaction time and acid-to-pulp ratio on nan...