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Jaouahar M, Ablouh EH, Hanani Z, Jaklič B, Spreitzer M, Semlali FZ, Ait Benhamou A, Samih Y, El Achaby M, Sehaqui H. Preparation and characterization of sulfated nanocellulose: From hydrogels to highly transparent films. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129464. [PMID: 38232892 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
This study focuses on the production of sulfated cellulose microfibers and nanocellulose hydrogels from native cellulose microfibers (CMF). The process involves using a combination of H2SO4 and urea, resulting in highly sulfated cellulose microfiber hydrogel (SC) with notable properties such as a sulfur content of 7.5 %, a degree of sulfation of 0.49, a surface charge content of 2.2 mmol. g-1, and a high yield of 81 %. The SC hydrogel can be easily fibrillated into sulfated nanocellulose hydrogel (S-NC) with elongated nanocellulose structures having an average diameter of 6.85 ± 3.11 nm, as determined using atomic force microscopy (AFM). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirms the presence of sulfate groups on the surface of the nanocellulose material. Transparent films with good mechanical properties can be produced from both cellulose microfiber and nanocellulose hydrogels. The sulfate functionality gives the hydrogel attractive rheological properties and makes S-NC re-dispersible in water, which can be beneficial for various applications. This study demonstrates the potential of this process to address previous challenges related to nanocellulose materials production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Jaouahar
- Materials Science, Energy, and Nanoengineering (MSN) Department, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660 - Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150 Benguerir, Morocco.
| | - El-Houssaine Ablouh
- Materials Science, Energy, and Nanoengineering (MSN) Department, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660 - Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150 Benguerir, Morocco.
| | - Zouhair Hanani
- Advanced Materials Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Blaž Jaklič
- Advanced Materials Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matjaz Spreitzer
- Advanced Materials Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Fatima-Zahra Semlali
- Materials Science, Energy, and Nanoengineering (MSN) Department, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660 - Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150 Benguerir, Morocco
| | - Anass Ait Benhamou
- Materials Science, Energy, and Nanoengineering (MSN) Department, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660 - Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150 Benguerir, Morocco
| | - Youssef Samih
- Materials Science, Energy, and Nanoengineering (MSN) Department, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660 - Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150 Benguerir, Morocco
| | - Mounir El Achaby
- Materials Science, Energy, and Nanoengineering (MSN) Department, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660 - Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150 Benguerir, Morocco
| | - Houssine Sehaqui
- Materials Science, Energy, and Nanoengineering (MSN) Department, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660 - Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150 Benguerir, Morocco.
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