Chemically Modified Nanocellulose from Rice Husk: Synthesis and Characterisation
Mandeep Kaur *
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar-125001, Haryana, India
Santosh Kumari
Department of Bio and Nano Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar-125001, Haryana, India
Praveen Sharma
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar-125001, Haryana, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The synthesis of Cellulose nanocrystals by utilizing rice husk an agricultural waste material deserves to be an advanced approach. The present study evaluates the use of rice husk as an excellent source of cellulose to procure cellulose nanocrystals. A chemo-mechanical method was employed. Chemical processes involved alkali treatment, bleaching treatment and acid hydrolysis. Mechanical processes involved ultrasonication, cryocrushing and magnetic stirring. Cellulose nanocrystals have been characterised by scanning electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transformed infrared spectra. The thermal stability of cellulose nanocrystals was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The result showed that synthesised cellulose nanocrystals were of the diameter 76.77nm.
Keywords: Cellulose nanocrystals, rice husk, agricultural waste, acid hydrolysis, ultrasonication