Houyong Yu, Dongzi Zhang, Fang-Fang Lu
Apr 7, 2016
Citations
2
Influential Citations
207
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
Abstract
A simple approach was developed to isolate cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with carboxylic groups from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The effect of reaction time on the morphology, microstructure, and thermal stability of isolated CNCs was investigated. The rod-like CNCs with size of 200–250 nm in length and about 15–20 nm in width were obtained by one-step citric/hydrochloric acid (C6H8O7/HCl) hydrolysis of MCC. The CNCs extracted at 4 h showed the highest carboxylic group content which led to a high absolute zeta potential value up to 46.63 mV. Moreover, these CNCs may be used as cationic dye adsorbent (methylene blue) and efficient flocculants with excellent coagulation–flocculation capability to kaolin suspension with a turbidity removal of 99.5%.