Effect of Aminosilane Modification on Nanocrystalline Cellulose Properties

Abstract

The application of renewable nanomaterials, like nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), has recently been widely studied by many researchers. NCC has many benefits such as high aspect ratio, biodegradability, and high number of hydroxyl groups which offer great opportunities for modification. In this study, the NCC derived from empty fruit bunches (EFB) was modified with aminosilane, 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propyl-dimethoxymethylsilane (AEAPDMS), and the characterization was performed to investigate the potential as carbon dioxide (CO2) capture. Modification of NCC with AEAPDMS was carried out in water/ethanol solvent (80/20) (v/v) with a ratio of NCC to aminosilane of 1 : 1, 1 : 2, 1 : 3, and 1 : 4 w/w%. The effects of AEAPDMS on NCC were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, elemental analysis (CHNS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The existence of AEAPDMS onto NCC was confirmed by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy as the new peaks of NH2were bending and wagging, and Si-CH3appeared. The thermal stability of NCC increased after modification due to the interaction with AEAPDMS. The elemental analysis result showed that the nitrogen content increased with an enhancement ratio of the modifiers. The XRD indicated that the crystallinity decreased while the rod-like geometry of NCC was maintained after amorphous AEAPDMS grafted on the NCC. Since AEAPDMS can be grafted on the NCC, the sample is applicable as CO2capture.

Engineering Lignocellulose Fibers with Higher Thermal Stability through Natural Fiber Welding

“…The samples with the highest thermal stability enhancement though were those whose surfaces were completely coated with the siloxane polymer and could enhance the char formation beyond the lower theoretical threshold (i.e., 10Me‐CNF and 10A‐CNF). Our observed thermal stability improvements are in good agreement with other studies in the literature …”

“…Some of these studies have also shown that silane modifications can improve biopolymer thermal stability. For example, Mohd et al improved the thermal stability of nanocrystalline cellulose up to ≈10–25 °C through silanization with 3‐(2‐aminoethylamino)propyl‐dimethoxymethylsilane, at comparable loadings to those used in our study . Similarly, Wang et al enhanced the thermal stability and miscibility of sisal fibres (for poly(lactic acid) composites) by functionalizing them with aminopropyl triethoxysilane, showing TG data but not quantifying the degree of improvement .…”

“…Many previous studies have investigated silane‐modified materials (including cellulose), primarily focusing on using this functionalization strategy to improve the materials ability to integrate within a larger polymer composite matrix . Some of these studies have also shown that silane modifications can improve biopolymer thermal stability.…”

“…The presence of the solixane coatings altered the CNF's biodegradability and dispersion properties in organic solvents. Not only can silane modifications tune cellulose biodegradability and dispersion properties, but they can also impact the fibers hydrophobicity and thermal properties . Thus, in our present study we evaluated the water sorption properties and thermal stability of the Si‐CNFs through thermogravimetric (TG) analysis.…”

Lightweight foams of amine-rich organosilica and cellulose nanofibrils by foaming and controlled condensation of aminosilane

“…40,43 The surface modification of (nano)cellulose-based materials by selected OS was also successful for the production of stable emulsions 44,45 and functional films and foams with e.g. high hydrophobicity, 46 enhanced CO 2 47 and oil adsorption capacity, 4 improved thermal stability 48 and antibacterial properties. 49 Most of the surface modifications of CNFs by an OS are commonly performed as a pre-step before material elaboration (usually in organic solvent 50 ), or as a post-modification of the CNFbased product.…”