Preparation of nanospheres from oxidised cellulose nanofibrils via polyelectrolyte complexation

Cellulose consists of both crystalline and amorphous region. The amorphous regions are cut down when disturbed, with only the remaining crystalline regions consisting of nanometer size. The TEMPO specific oxidation of cellulose fibre provides carboxylated cellulose nano-crystals. The surface carboxylated cellulose was prepared by TEMPO-mediated specific oxidation method. Supernatant of the reaction mass contains oxidised cellulose nanofibrils that were isolated. The anionic cellulose nanocrystals were enabled to undergo polyelectrolyte complexation with cationic polymers. The nano-spheres were prepared from oxidised cellulose through polyelectrolyte complexation with chitosan in different concentrations. The shape of the nanosphere was identified by SEM. The nano-spheres were agglomerate on excess chitosan. To overcome that, the surface was hydrophobically modified with alkyl tail. The hydrophobic modification was given individual nano-spheres and they were distinctly identified. This communication will d...