Isolative Synthesis and Characterization of Cellulose and Cellulose Nanocrystals from Typha angustifolia

Abstract

The application potential of cellulosic materials in natural composites and other fields needs to be explored to develop innovative, sustainable, light weight, functional biomass materials that are also environmentally friendly. This study investigated Typha angustifolia (Typha sp.) as a potential new raw material for extracting cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) for application in wastewater treatment composites. Alkaline treatments and bleaching were used to remove cellulose from the stem fibres. The CNCs were then isolated from the recovered cellulose using acid hydrolysis. The study showed a few distinct functional groups (O-H, -C-H, =C-H and C-O, and C-O-C) in the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed the smooth surface of CPC and CNCs, which resulted from removing lignin and hemicellulose from powdered Typha angustifolia. Based on the crystalline index, the powdered Typha angustifolia, CPC, and CNCs were 42.86%, 66.94% and 77.41%. The loss of the amorphous section of the Typha sp. fibre resulted in a decrease in particle size. It may be inferred from the features of a Typha sp. CNC that CNCs may be employed as reinforcement in composites for wastewater treatment.