Development of Nanocrystalline Cellulose (NCC) from Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) via Dissolution using Ionic Liquid: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate (BMIM HSO4)

Nanocrystalline Cellulose (NCC) was prepared by dissolution of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) using Ionic Liquid: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate (BMIM HSO4) at dissolution temperatures of 70 °C, 80 °C, and 90 °C, and dissolution time of 30 minutes and 1 hour respectively. Morphological properties of NCC and MCC were examined using Field Electron Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). Chemical characterization of NCC was performed for the analysis of crystallinity (Xc) using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and to analyze the bonds that are present in NCC and MCC using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR was also used to analyze the chemical bonds in unused BMIM HSO4 and regenerated BMIM HSO4. Reduction of MCC particle size by BMIM HSO4 dissolution was clearly observed from FESEM images. The crystallinity of NCC obtained through dissolution of MCC in BMIM HSO4 showed a significant increase due to the degradation of amorphous region in cellulose. Both MCC and NCC have the same chemical bonds. Chemical bonds in regenerated BMIM HSO4 were unchanged, indicating that BMIM HSO4 can be recycled and reused.