Characterization of carboxymethyl cellulose-based nanocomposite films reinforced with oxidized nanocellulose isolated using ammonium persulfate method.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were isolated from cotton linter (CL) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) using an ammonium persulfate (APS) method for a simultaneous isolation and oxidation of CNCs. The CNCs were in rod-like shape with a diameter of 10.3nm and 11.4nm, a length of 120-150nm and 103-337nm, a crystallinity index of 93.5% and 79.1% for the CNCCL and CNCMCC, respectively. The suspensions of oxidized CNCs were transparent and stable with the zeta potential values of -50.6mV and -46.9mV. The CNCs were uniformly distributed within the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) polymer matrix. The tensile strength (TS) increased by 102% and 73%, and elastic modulus (E) increased by 228% and 166% with the incorporation of at 10wt% of CNCCL and CNCMCC, respectively. Conclusively, the CNCCL showed a more uniform particle size distribution, higher crystallinity, transparency, thermal stability, and superior mechanical strength compared with the CNCMCC.