Development of NanocrystaUine Cellulose (NCC) from Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) via Dissolution using Ionic Liquid: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate (BMIM HS04)

Nanocrystalline Cellulose (NCC) was prepared by dissolution of
Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) using Ionic Liquid: !-butyl-3-methylimidazoliurn
hydrogen sulfate (BMIM HS04) at dissolution temperatures of 70 °C, 80 °C, and 90 °C,
and dissolution time of 30 minutes and I 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 CXc) 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 HS04 and regenerated
BMIM HS04. Reduction of MCC particle size by BMIM HS04 dissolution was clearly
observed from FESEM images. The crystallinity of NCC obtained through dissolution
of MCC in BMIM HS04 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 HS04 were unchanged, indicating that BMIM
HS04 can be recycled and reused.