Dependence of cellulose nanocrystals on feedstock cellulose feature size

We have explored the potential for high efficiency production of nanocellulose crystals from purified cellulose stock. Production efficiency is problematic for incorporating nanocrystalline cellulose an economical fashion, Here, we use standard acid hydrolysis to cleave the cellulose molecules and form nanocrystalline structure, but vary the starting cellulose input. Using mechanical processing via ultrasonic agitation, we can first reduce the size of the purified cellulose into nanoscale form. By varying process parameters and the ratio of cellulose to water during sonication, we can achieve both 1D and 2D features, as well as tune feature size between 10 nm diameter to the micron scale. By examining the time, energy output, and machine wear, we can determine how to improve production efficiency and explore different processing pathways to potentially utilize nanocrystalline cellulose in commercial applications.