• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.67-75
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• 2011

Sulfuric acid hydrolysis is a typical approach for producing cellulose nanocrystals. The method has been widely used, but it has a disadvantage of low yield of cellulose nanocrystals compared to mechanical method. To expand the application of cellulose nanocrystals in practical, we should be able to produce them with higher yield and the controlled properties. In this study, therefore, we intended to investigate the effect of sulfuric acid hydrolysis condition on the characteristics of the prepared cellulose nanocrystals. The concentration of sulfuric acid, temperature and hydrolysis time were varied, and the yield as well as diverse properties including the morphology, size and zeta potential were examined. We could obtain cellulose nanocrystals up to 70% of yield and found that the properties were dependent on the reaction condition. It would be helpful to select an appropriate condition for producing cellulose nanocrystals.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.565-576
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• 2018

Cellulose acetate (CA) has been widely utilized for composite materials due to its high transparency and thermal resistance. In this study, CNCs (cellulose nanocrystals) were reinforced in CA nanocomposites for fortifying mechanical properties of the composites. In addition, CA nanocomposites reinforced with CNCs were manufactured by extrusion/injection processes applied with CNC-predispersion method for achieving a high dispersion level of CNCs in the CA matrix. According to the analysis of mechanical properties, the CA nanocomposite with 3 wt% CNCs has the highest tensile and flexural strengths due to the reinforcing effect of CNC nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the addition of acid hydrolyzed CNCs slightly lowered the initial pyrolysis temperature of CA nanocomposite.

• Carbon letters
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• v.20
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• pp.32-38
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• 2016

In this study, cellulose nanoplates (CNPs) were fabricated using cellulose nanocrystals obtained from commercial microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). Their pyrolysis behavior and the characteristics of the product carbonaceous materials were investigated. CNPs showed a relatively high char yield when compared with MCC due to sulfate functional groups introduced during the manufacturing process. In addition, pyrolyzed CNPs (CCNPs) showed more effective chemical activation behavior compared with MCC-induced carbonaceous materials. The activated CCNPs exhibited a microporous carbon structure with a high surface area of 1310.6 m²/g and numerous oxygen heteroatoms. The results of this study show the effects of morphology and the surface properties of cellulose-based nanomaterials on pyrolysis and the activation process.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.231-244
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• 2020

As a way of finding value-added materials from waste medium density fiberboard (MDF), this study characterized cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) isolated by ammonium persulfate (APS) oxidation using recycled MDF fibers. Chemical composition of the recycled MDF fibers was done to quantify α-cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, nitrogen, ash and extractives. The APS oxidation was performed at 60 ℃ for 16 h, followed by ultrasonication, which resulted in a CNC yield of 11%. Transmission electron microscope images showed that rod-like CNCs had an average length and diameter of 167±47 nm and 8.24±2.28 nm, respectively, which gave an aspect ratio of about 20. The conductometric titration of aqueous CNCs suspension resulted in a carboxyl content of 0.24 mmol/g and the degree of oxidation was 0.04. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy clearly showed the presence of carboxyl group on the CNCs prepared by the APS oxidation. The change of pH of the aqueous CNC suspension from 4 to 7 converted the carboxyl group to sodium carboxylate group. These results showed that the APS oxidation was facile and CNCs had a one-step preparation method, and thus suggested an optimization of the oxidation condition in future.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.59-71
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• 2018

Purpose: Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are natural polymers that have been promoted as a next generation of new, sustainable materials. CNCs are invaluable as reinforcing materials for composites because they can impart improved mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties and they are biodegradable. The purpose of this review is to provide researchers with information that can assist in the application of CNCs extracted from waste agricultural byproducts (e.g. rice husks, corncobs, pineapple leaves). Methods & Results: This paper presents the unique characteristics of CNCs based on agricultural byproducts, and lists processing methods for manufacturing CNCs from agricultural byproducts. Various mechanical treatments (microfluidization and homogenization) and chemical treatments (alkali treatment, bleaching and hydrolysis) can be performed in order to generate nanocellulose. CNC-based composite properties and various applications are also discussed. Conclusions: CNC-based composites from agricultural byproducts can be combined to meet end-use applications such as sensors, batteries, films, food packaging, and 3D printing by utilizing their properties. The review discusses applications in food engineering, biological engineering, and cellulose-based hydrogels.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.597-606
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• 2019

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were successfully isolated from oil palm fronds (OPFs) using different concentrations of ammonium persulfate (APS), and their characteristics were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). APS oxidation effectively isolated CNCs with rod-like morphology in nanometer scale. The dimensions of the CNCs decreased with increasing APS concentration. FTIR and XRD analyses revealed that all the CNCs showed crystals in the form of cellulose I without crystal transformation occurring during APS treatment. The relative crystallinity of the CNCs increased with increasing APS concentration, whereas their thermal stability decreased. An APS concentration of 2 M was found to be optimal for isolating the CNCs.

• 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.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.1803-1812
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• 2024

The attractive properties of gadolinium-based nanoparticles as a positive contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have piqued the interest of both researchers and clinicians. Nonetheless, due to the biotoxicity of gadolinium (III) ions' free radicals, there is a need to address this issue. Therefore, this research aimed to develop a biocompatible, dispersible, stable, hydrophilic, and less toxic cellulose nanocrystals/gadolinium oxide nanocomposite as contrast agent properties for MRI purposes. This study aimed to synthesize gadolinium oxide nanoparticles coated with cellulose nanocrystals with polyethylene glycol and sodium hydroxide (CNCs-PEG/NaOH)/Gd₂O₃ using the gamma irradiation method to reduce the particle size. The results showed that using a gamma irradiation dose of 10 kGy, quasi-spherical morphology with a size of approximately 5.5 ± 0.65 nm could be produced. Furthermore, the cytocompatibility of (CNCs-PEG/NaOH)/Gd₂O₃ nanocomposite synthesized was assessed through MTT assay tests on Hep G2 cells, which demonstrated good cytocompatibility without any cytotoxic effects within a concentration range of (10 ㎍/mL - 150 ㎍/mL) and had sufficient cellular uptake. Moreover, the T₁-weighted MRI of (CNCs-PEG/NaOH)/Gd₂O₃ nanocomposite revealed promising results as a positive contrast agent. It is envisaged that the gamma irradiation method is promising in synthesizing (CNCs-PEG/NaOH)/Gd₂O₃ nanocomposite with nanoscale for different applications, especially in the radiotherapy field.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.311-320
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• 2019

In this study, the effect of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) on the fire resistance properties of fiber-reinforced cement composites was investigated. The main variables were CNCs content (0.4, 0.8 and 1.2vol.% compared with cement), steel fiber ratio, and exposure temperature (100, 200, 400, 600 and 800℃). The fire resistance properties, i.e., residual compressive strength, flexural strength, and porosity, were evaluated in relation with the exposure temperature of the specimens. The CNCs suspensions were prepared to composited dispersion method of magnetic stirring and ultra-sonication. CNCs are effective for increasing the compressive strength at high temperatures but CNCs do not seem to have a significant effect on flexural reinforcement. Porosity test result showed CNCs reduce the non-hydration area inside the cement and promote hydration.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.373-393
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• 2015

Background: Cellulose is a ubiquitous, renewable and environmentally friendly biopolymer, which has high promise to fulfil the rising demand for sustainable and biocompatible materials. Particularly, the recent progress in the synthesis of highly crystalline cellulose-based nanoscale biomaterials, namely cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), draws significant attention from many research communities, ranging from bioresource engineering, to materials science and engineering, to biological and biomedical engineering to bionanotechnology. The feasibility of harnessing CNCs' unique biophysicochemical properties has inspired their basic and applied research, offering much promise for new biomaterials with diverse advanced functionalities. Purpose: This review focuses on vital issues and topics on the recent advances in CNC-based biomaterials with potential, in particular, for bionanotechnology and biological and biomedical engineering. The challenges and limitations of CNC technology are discussed as well as potential strategies to overcome them, providing an essential source of information in the exploration of possible and futuristic applications of the CNC-based functional "green" nanomaterials. Conclusion: CNCs offer exciting possibilities for advanced "green" nanomaterials, driving innovative research and development in a wide range of fields, including biological and biomedical engineering.