Preparation and characterization of nanocellulose from wheat bran
Abstract: Nanocellulose is being studied to a great extent around the world as it has great potential and many possible applications, for example, as an additive in greener polymers in a world where the need for replacements for fossil fuel based polymers increase. Different sources of cellulose are being considered for the production of nanocellulose as this can add value to what otherwise often is a by-product. This study presents the feasibility of preparing nanocellulose from wheat bran cellulose and characterisation of the achieved material. The used cellulose had previously been extracted by an alkaline process, which removes most of the hemicellulose. The cellulose was converted to nanocellulose by acid hydrolysis and the suspensions were stabilised by ultra sound. The final products where characterised by Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The extraction procedure yielded purified cellulose, i.e. crystalline spherical nanocellulose with a diameter around 100 nm.
AT THIS PAGE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE WHOLE ESSAY. (follow the link to the next page)