Preparation of hairy cationic nanocrystalline cellulose.

A hairy cationic nanocellulose (CNCC) was prepared by a two-step reaction. First dialdehyde modified cellulose (DAMC) were prepared by periodate oxidation of cellulose fibers and subsequently DAMC fibers were cationized by a reaction between the aldehyde groups of cellulose and (2-hydrazinyl-2-oxoethyl)-trimethylazanium chloride [Girard's reagent T (GT)] to produce cationic dialdehyde cellulose (CDAMC) fibers. Subjecting the suspension of CDAMC fibers to a hot-water treatment at 60 °C, resulted in the formation of cationic rod-like nanocellulose (CNCC). Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed the CNCC has a width of 5 nm and a length about 120 nm. Zeta potential measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid carbon-13 NMR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of cationic groups on CNCC. The positive charge content of CNCC is about 1.68 mmol/g measured by conductometric titration. CNCC has a crystalline index of 67 % and possesses cellulose I crystalline structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]