Preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline cellulose for development of nanocomposite films

Abstract

Nanocrystalline cellulose crystals were synthesized from microcellulose crystals by physical method (ball milling) for being applied in the development of nanocomposite packaging films with improved barrier and mechanical properties. Structural evolution of nanocellulose crystals were investigated by a series of methods like particle size analysis, TEM, SEM, XRD, etc. The results showed the suitability of ball milling process as one of the techniques for nanocrystalline cellulose processing. Microcrystalline cellulose initially of particle size ranging from 40-30 µm was reduced to size ranging between 200-300 nm by pulverizing process at 120 rpm for 8 h using ball mill.