Synthesis and characterization of nanocellulose using renewable resources through Ionic liquid medium

Onkarappa H S, G K Prakash, G H Pujar, C R Rajith Kumar, Radha V, M S Latha and Virupaxappa S Betageri

Abstract

Wood and agricultural bio-residues are the main natural sources of cellulose available on the earth. Cellulose is the world's most abundant biopolymer in nature and possesses properties such as low cost, high strength, good biocompatibility and good thermal stability by chemical treatment. In the present work, nanocellulose was obtained from native rubber wood powder, maize husk and sugar cane bagasse. Cellulose was obtained after bleaching with sodium chlorite and alkali treatment by NaOH to remove lignin and hemicellulose. Obtained cellulose is treated with ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim] Cl)) solvent. The chemical functionality and its characterisation were observed by FTIR, XRD, TGA/DTA, SEM and TEM. FTIR spectra reveal the functional groups and significant conversion of cellulose to nanocellulose. XRD exhibits the crystalline or semicrystalline nature. TGA/DTA showed the thermal stability. SEM and TEM monographs depict the surface topology and size of the nanocellulose.