• Composites Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.150-154
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• 2024

In this study, nanofibrillated cellulose was extracted from soybean hulls - a by-product of soybeans - and compared with soybean hull nanofibrillated cellulose obtained by using other nanofibrillated methods. Dry soybean hulls were ground into prepare micrometer-sized powders, from which microcellulose was isolated using NaOH and HCl. The nanometer-sized cellulose was successfully extracted through ultrasonic dispersion and ball milling. The soybean hull nanofibrillated cellulose exhibited a diameter of 60-100 nm and a length of 0.3-1.0 ㎛, which matches the diameter of soybean nanofibrillated cellulose made by other nanofibrillated methods but is significantly shorter in length.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.380-385
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• 2016

Nanocelluloses, mainly cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC, i.e., defect-free, rod-like crystalline residues after acid hydrolysis of fibers), have been the subject of recent interest. Due to the presence of hydroxyl groups on the surface of nanocelluloses, their surfaces are reactive, making them suitable candidates for reinforcing materials for manufacturing polymer composites. In this study, CNF was used as a reinforcing material for manufacturing cement composites. CNF was prepared by TEMPO (2,2,6,6,-tetramethyl piperidine-1-oxyl radical) oxidation procedure combined with extensive homogenization and ultrasonication. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of the suspension showed the width of CNF between 10 and 15 nm. The compressive strength of cement composites containing 0.5% CNF was comparable to that of conventional cement composites. On the other hand, the tensile and flexural strength were improved by 49.7% and 38.8%, respectively, compared to those of conventional cement composites. Also, at an ambient condition, the degree of self-shrinkage reduction reached to 18.9% in one day, followed by 5.9% in 28 days after molding.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.587-601
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• 2010

This review attempted to overview characteristics of nanocellulose from various sources, its isolation methods, and properties of nanocellulose-based nanocomposites. Currently, nanocelluloses could be obtained from a variety of cellulose sources, including wood pulp, tunicate, bacterial cellulose etc., and are isolated by various ways such as chemical, physical, or biological methods. The length and width of nanocellulose is in the range of 100~300 nm long and 5~50 nm wide although characteristics of nanocellulose shows a wide variability, depending on sources and isolation method. Nanocellulose is also being used as a reinforcement in the nanocomposites via various methods. Many water soluble polymers were reinforced by the incorporation of nanocellulose, which significantly improves tensile and storage moduli of the nanocomposites. In order to be used for hydrophobic polymers, the surface of nanocellulose was modified. Even though there is a significant progress in the utilization of nanocellulose as a reinforcement of polymers, further research is required to find a niche market of nanocellulose-reinforced nanocomposites. In addition, isolation methods of producing the nanocellulose in a large quantity for commercial applications should be developed to extend the application of nanocellulose-based bio-nanocomposites in future.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.221-225
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• 2023

Celluloses are naturally occurring polymers that can be easily obtained from various natural sources. Nanocellulose, a form of cellulose, can be derived from regular cellulose and has unique properties that make it ideal for multiple industrial applications. Nanocellulose is a renewable, sustainable, and eco-friendly composite material with exceptional mechanical properties and thermal stability, surpassing metal and ceramic composites. As a result, nanocelluloses are being extensively studied for their potential applications, including fillers, packaging, energy, medicine, and coatings. This review aims to summarize the current research on nanocelluloses and their applications.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.79-85
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• 2024

We investigated the crystal structural property and chemical bonding nature of cellulose nanocrystal extracted directly from cotton cellulose using high-pressure homogenizer. The nanowire-like cellulose nanocrystals were randomly distributed in the form of a dense mesh. Based on calculating the interplanar distance of the Bragg-diffracted crystal plane observed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, it was found that the cellulose nanocrystals formed by high-pressure homogenizer had a monoclinc crystal structure, corresponding to the cellulose Iβ sub-polymorph. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis for the quantitatively evaluation of the amorphous region in cellulose nanocrystals revealed that the crystallinity index of cellulose nanocrystals was calculated to be 53.06 %. The O/C ratio of the surface of cellulose nanocrystal was estimated to be 0.82. Further analysis showed that chemical bonds of C-C bond or C-H bond, C-O bond, O-C-O bond or C=O bond, and O-C=O bond were the main chemical bonding states of the cellulose nanocrystal surface.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2017

In this review, we focus on one of the most attractive biomaterials, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). MFC, a type of nanocellulose, mainly originates from cellulose in lignocellulosic biomass. MFC represents one of incredible important natural resources due to its abundancy, renewability, and sustainability. MFC is produced through mechanical pretreatment, and it is composed of various sizes of microfibers, ranging from a few nanometers to a few micrometers. Because of the heterogenetic compositions of MFC, it possesses superior properties as a material, such as high surface area, high aspect ratio, and peculiar insolubility as a biomaterial. These properties allow MFC to be used in various bio-industries, from the traditional pulp industry to the high-tech food/bio/chemical/medical industries. However, it is difficult to use MFC on a commercial scale owing to the high energy input required during its production and the challenge of controlling its reactivity. Therefore, future studies should be focused on accurately characterizing MFC's surface morphologies, regulating its characteristics in a desirable direction, and standardizing proper guidelines for the analysis of surface morphologies its analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.730-739
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• 2015

Various cellulose nanofibers (CNF) with different morphology and chemical properties were prepared for the reinforcement of sheet of paper mulberry bast fiber. Lignocellulose nanofiber (LCNF), Holocellulose nanofiber (HCNF), alkali-treated HCNF (AT-HCNF), TEMPO-oxidated nanofiber (TEMPO-NF) and cellulose nanocrystal (CNF) were prepared and their addition effect on the properties of sheet of paper mulberry bast fiber were investigated. Air permeability, surface smoothness, and tensile properties were improved by increasing CNF addition. Its improvement may be due to the CNF deposited between and on paper mulberry bast fibers, which was confirmed by SEM observation.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2021

As declarations of carbon neutrality are spreading throughout the world, much research is being conducted on biodegradable polymers. In this study, nanocellulose, which comprises the largest amount of natural polymer currently available in the world, was proposed as a substitute for non-biodegradable polymers. We chose to modify the surface functional group of crystalline nanocellulose using glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GPTMS), which is a silane coupling agent, and the product was then used to form a film with low density polyethylene (LDPE). We then conducted measurements using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR) in addition to measuring hydrophilic/lipophilicity of the surface functional group modification of crystalline nitrocellulose as well as that of a polymer composite using the hybrid nanocellulose (H-NC). For compatibility with petroleum-based polymers, the best tensile strength and transparency was found when the H-NC was reacted at pH 14 and 1 wt% compared with LDPE. From the test results, we found that it is possible to modify the surface functional groups of nanocellulose using a silane coupling agent. In addition, the high compatibility of nanocellulose with petroleum-based polymers is expected to help in reaching carbon neutrality by reducing the use of fossil fuels.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.128-134
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• 2004

Cellulose nanoparticles loaded with vitamin I acetate were prepared by modified spantaneous emulsification solvent diffusion method. After cellulose derivatives were dissolved in mixed acetone/ethanol organic solvent with vitamin E acetate, cellulose nanoparticle suspensions were dispersed in poly(oxyethylene sorbitane monooleate) solution using ultrasonicator. Particle size and loading amount of vitamin I acetate were measured by particle size analyser and UV-spectrometer, respectively. The stability of nanoparticle was determined by measuring the change of the particle size at room temperature for 30 days and the morphology was observed by SEM. Morphology of cellulose nanoparticles was spherical and particle size was not changed at room temperature for 30 days. The optimum condition for the preparation of cellulose nanoparticles was 1% w/v cellulose nitrate with 8% w/v poly(oxyethylene sorbitane monooleate) solution. It showed that particle size and loading amount of vitamin E acetate was 65nm and 71%, respectively.

• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.153-160
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• 2022

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) based on wood pulp fibers are gained much attention as part of biocompatible hydrogels for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering scaffolds, biomedicine, and drug carrier. However, CNF hydrogels have relatively poor mechanical properties, impeding their applications requiring high mechanical integrity. In this work, we prepare 2,2,6,6-tetramethylipiperidin-oxyl (TEMPO) oxidated cellulose nanofibrils hydrogels mediated with metal cations, which form the metal-carboxylate coordination bonds for enhanced mechanical strength and toughness. We conduct the large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) test and Live/dead cell assay for obtaining nonlinear viscoelastic parameters and cell viability, respectively. In particular, the cell proliferation and viability change depending on the type of metal salt, which also affected the rheological properties of the hydrogels.